Old Ways

OLI's song "Old Ways" delves into the internal conflict between clinging to familiar habits and the desire for change. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone grappling with their past behaviors, which simultaneously provide comfort and cause distress. The phrase "there's hell in my pocket" suggests that the protagonist carries a burden or a destructive habit that they can't easily discard. This duality is further emphasized by the line "it kills me, it saves me, it knocks me down," illustrating the complex relationship with these old ways that both harm and protect them.

The song also touches on the theme of addiction and the difficulty of breaking free from it. The line "there's a weight on your shoulder, you can't heal with sober" implies that sobriety alone isn't enough to heal the deep-seated issues. The struggle is ongoing, as indicated by "the war's never over," and as one grows older, they learn to navigate these challenges, albeit imperfectly. The repetition of "old, old ways" underscores the persistent nature of these habits and the cyclical battle to overcome them.

In the chorus, OLI offers a sense of agency to the listener with the lines "Do what you wanna do with this, take what you wanna take from this." This suggests that while the struggle with old habits is a personal journey, there is room for individual interpretation and action. The song ultimately reflects the universal human experience of battling inner demons and the hope for redemption, even if it means confronting the same issues repeatedly.