10,000 feet

Tom Francis's song '10,000 Feet' delves into the emotional turbulence of leaving behind a significant chapter of one's life. The opening lines set the scene with a sense of urgency and finality, as the protagonist is about to leave in a taxi that 'will wait no more.' This departure is not just physical but deeply emotional, as the house they are leaving 'gave more than it took,' suggesting a place filled with memories and emotional investment. The walls 'bent rather than shook,' indicating resilience and the ability to withstand emotional storms, but now it's time to move on.

The lyrics reflect on the passage of time and the pain of leaving, encapsulated in the line 'tomorrow became yesterday.' This suggests a sudden realization of how quickly time has passed and the unexpected pain that comes with it. The protagonist admits to living life without compromise, 'never in the shade of grey,' which implies a life of clear decisions and strong emotions. The urgency is further emphasized with 'there ain’t no time for true lies and there’s no time for goodbyes,' indicating that the departure is abrupt and perhaps unresolved.

As the protagonist takes flight, literally and metaphorically, they find themselves '10,000 feet above' the city and the memories it holds. This altitude represents a physical distance but also an emotional detachment, a way to gain perspective on the life left behind. The repetition of '10,000 feet' underscores the vast distance and the attempt to rise above the emotional weight of the past. The song captures the bittersweet essence of moving on, the pain of leaving, and the hope of finding a new 'home for now,' even if it's just temporary. The flight becomes a metaphor for the journey of healing and self-discovery, as the protagonist is 'flying high,' trying to navigate through the emotional altitude of their experiences.