“It’s Called: Freefall” is a song by the band Rainbow Kitten Surprise, featured on their 2018 album How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. The track blends elements of folk, rock, and indie music, creating a unique sound that complements its introspective lyrics.
The song explores themes of loneliness, self-reflection, and the complexities of friendships. The protagonist grapples with feelings of isolation and the burden of trying to be a good friend while often feeling unappreciated.
Through a metaphorical conversation with the Devil, the lyrics delve into the struggle of letting go of past relationships and the weight of expectations.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“It’s Called: Freefall” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Called to the Devil and the Devil did come
I said to the Devil, “Devil, do you like drums?
Do you like cigarettes, dominoes, rum?”
He said, “Only sundown, Sundays, Christmas”
The song begins with a conversation between the protagonist and the Devil, who symbolizes temptation and inner demons. The protagonist asks the Devil about his preferences for vices, which highlights the allure of self-destructive behaviors.
The Devil’s selective indulgence (“Only sundown, Sundays, Christmas”) suggests that even temptations have boundaries.
[Verse 2]
Some days end when I need a few friends
Now and again, I could never hope to keep them
Thought to give friends what I thought that they wanted
Never had they needed a good friend as I’ve been
The protagonist reflects on their difficulties in maintaining friendships, feeling that their efforts to please others are not reciprocated.
This section conveys a sense of loneliness and misunderstanding, where the protagonist’s attempts to be a good friend are seen as burdensome rather than supportive.
[Verse 3]
Don’t get me ventin’ on friends who resent you
‘Cause all you’ve ever done is been a noose to hang on to
They thought was a necklace and reckless
They fell into Hell where you both hang with nothing to do but
The metaphor of a “noose” mistaken for a “necklace” illustrates how well-intentioned actions can lead to negative outcomes, resulting in isolation and regret.
This part of the song depicts a metaphorical fall into hell, representing a state of despair shared by the protagonist and their friends.
[Pre-Chorus]
Scratch, kick, let gravity win like
Fuck this, let gravity win like
You could leave it all behind
Even the Devil need time alone sometimes
The pre-chorus uses the imagery of “scratch, kick, let gravity win” to convey a sense of struggle and eventual surrender. The phrase “let gravity win” suggests giving in to the natural forces or circumstances that pull one down, symbolizing the act of relinquishing control and allowing oneself to fall into a state of freefall. This reflects a moment of resignation or acceptance of one’s situation, where fighting against it seems futile.
The line “Even the Devil need time alone sometimes” humanizes the Devil, suggesting that even the most malevolent figures require moments of solitude and introspection.
[Chorus]
You could let it all go
You could let it all go
It’s called “freefall”
It’s called “freefall”
The chorus encourages the idea of “freefall,” which symbolizes the release of burdens and the acceptance of freedom through surrender. This notion is both liberating and frightening, as it involves embracing uncertainty and relinquishing control.
[Verse 4]
Called to the Devil and the Devil said, “Quit
Can’t be bothered, better handle y’all shit
Keep about your wits, man, keep about your wits
Know yourself and who you came in with
Can I sit down? I’ve been hustlin’ all day
I can’t even count how many souls I’ve made
Off the same deal you’re on
Remember, the Devil ain’t a friend to no one”
But fine, true
The Devil advises the protagonist to take responsibility for their own issues, emphasizing self-awareness and the importance of knowing oneself and one’s companions.
The Devil, who has been busy making deals, reminds the protagonist that he is not a friend to anyone, highlighting the transactional nature of their relationship.
[Verse 5]
Called to the Devil and the Devil said, “Hey
Why you been callin’ this late?
It’s like 2 AM and the bars all close at 10 in Hell
That’s a rule I made
Anyway, you say you’re too busy
Savin’ everybody else to save yourself
And you don’t want no help, oh well
That’s the story to tell”
The song concludes with the Devil questioning the protagonist’s late-night calls, pointing out their tendency to prioritize others over themselves.
This section underscores the need for self-care and the importance of saving oneself before attempting to save others. The repeated emphasis on “letting it all go” suggests finding peace in accepting life’s uncontrollable nature.
Deeper Meaning Behind “It’s Called: Freefall”
The song “It’s Called: Freefall” by Rainbow Kitten Surprise is framed as a conversation with the Devil, symbolizing temptation and inner struggles. This dialogue touches on life’s vices and the allure of self-destructive behaviors, with the Devil representing the darker aspects of human experience.
The song’s creation was also influenced by a personal anecdote shared by Ela Melo, a member of the band. Melo recounted being told as a child not to call the Devil unless prepared for the consequences.
As an adult, Melo metaphorically “called the Devil,” leading to the realization of the song’s theme: surrendering to life’s uncontrollable aspects and the ease of letting go.
Here’s her explanation when introducing the song at The Capitol Theater:
When I was a kid, a wise man once told me, “Son don’t you call the Devil unless you want the Devil to come.” And, I didn’t believe him. I thought, “Man, this old man’s crazy.” I thought, “I’m young. If the Devil comes to me, Imma fight him. Imma fight the Devil. I’ll take him one-on-one.” And, the older I got, the dumber I got. Then one day, I called the devil. And guess what happened? Guess what happened?! It’s called: freefall.
In the lyrics, the protagonist grapples with the burdens of trying to be a good friend and the resentment that can arise when those efforts are not reciprocated. The metaphor of a “noose” mistaken for a “necklace” illustrates the misinterpretation of intentions, leading to isolation and regret.
The chorus, “You could let it all go, It’s called freefall,” serves as a powerful refrain encouraging the release of burdens and embracing the freedom that comes with letting go. This notion of “freefall” is both liberating and terrifying, as it involves embracing uncertainty and the potential for failure.
Ultimately, the song conveys the message that self-care is essential, and one cannot save others without first saving oneself. It suggests that there is peace and freedom in accepting life’s uncontrollable nature and learning to navigate it without resistance.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.