The Lumineers, the American alternative folk band from Denver, Colorado, are renowned for their heartfelt and emotionally charged lyrics.
“Slow it Down” was released as one of the tracks on their debut studio album, ‘The Lumineers,’ in the United States on April 3, 2012. It’s one of the slowest songs on the album, and arguably one of the most powerful.
“Slow it Down” portrays a relationship in which the two partners drift apart due to the woman’s desire for glamour.
In this article, we will delve into the meaning behind the lyrics of this song.
Table of Contents
“Slow It Down” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I feel her filth in my bones
Wash off my hands ’til it’s gone
The walls, they’re closin’ in
With velvet curtains
In verse 1, the singer describes feeling his partner’s uncleanliness deeply within him. He washes his hands to remove that feeling.
He also mentions that it feels like the walls are closing in on them, and there are velvet curtains, which could symbolize a sense of confinement or secrecy in their romantic relationship.
This verse reflects a sense of discomfort and a need to cleanse himself from something unsettling in their partnership.
[Verse 2]
Some love was made for the lights
Some kiss your cheek and goodnight
Lift up a red high heel
Lock up your doors with steel
In verse 2, the singer talks about different types of love. Some love is meant for the spotlight, where it kisses your cheek and says goodnight. This kind of love is more public and affectionate.
Then, he mentions lifting up a red high heel, which could symbolize his partner dressing up and putting on a show for others. He also advises locking the doors with steel, suggesting the need for protection or caution, possibly to shield his partner from external influences or harm.
It seems that the singer might be suggesting to his partner not to seek excitement or fulfillment outside of their relationship.
[Verse 3]
They’re makin’ noise in my street
My blinds are drawn, I can’t see
Smashed in my car window
Didn’t touch the stereo
In verse 3, the singer describes a disturbance in his surroundings. There is noise in his street, which prompts him to draw the blinds, which implies a desire for privacy or isolation from the outside world.
He mentions that his car window is smashed, but interestingly, the stereo remains untouched. This could suggest that the intruders into his life were not after material possessions but rather something else.
[Chorus]
Slow it down, Angie come back to bed
Rest your arms, and rest your legs
In the chorus, the man is addressing his partner, Angie.
He asks her to slow down and come back to bed, encouraging her to rest her arms and legs. This can be interpreted as a plea for Angie to focus on their intimate connection.
The line “Slow it down, Angie come back to bed” implies that the singer feels Angie wants to seek excitement or fulfillment outside of their relationship.
He wants her to prioritize their relationship and is worried about her possibly straying.
[Verse 4]
Act like you’ve been here before
Smile less and dress up some more
Tie up your scarf real tight
These boys are out for blood tonight
In Verse 4, the man is cautioning his partner who seems eager to seek excitement outside of their relationship. He advises her to act as if she has experienced this situation before, which could mean to be more cautious and composed.
He also suggests that she should smile less and dress up more, which might imply that he wants her to be less approachable or alluring to potential external interests.
Moreover, he advises her to tie her scarf tightly as a cautionary measure, encouraging her not to appear overly seductive. This advice is rooted in the idea that some men may view attractive women as potential targets for one-night stands, as hinted at in the line, “These boys are out for blood tonight.”
[Verse 5]
And when she stood she stood tall
She’ll make a fool of you all
Don’t ask for cigarettes
She ain’t got nothing left for you
In Verse 5, the man appears to be addressing other men and describing his partner’s demeanor.
He mentions that when she stands, she does so with great confidence and self-assuredness, standing tall. He suggests that she has the ability to make a fool of all the men around her.
This could imply that she is independent, strong-willed, and not easily swayed by external advances or attention.
[Verse 6]
I never, she never, we never looked back
That wasn’t what we were good at
And when it came to love
We were not good enough on
In Verse 6, the man reflects on his romantic relationship.
He uses phrases like “I never, she never, we never looked back” to suggest that both he and his partner never dwelled on the past.
They didn’t hold onto regrets or revisit old memories. Instead, they were focused on moving forward.
[Outro]
Slow it down, Angie come back to bed
Rest your arms, and rest your legs
Don’t you frown when you’re feelin’ like that
Only love can dig you out of this
In the outro, the man continues to address his partner, Angie, who seems inclined to seek excitement outside of their relationship.
He advises her once more, urging her to slow down and come back to bed. He emphasizes the importance of resting her arms and legs, suggesting that she needs a break from her pursuits.
This verse reflects his wish for her to find contentment and fulfillment within their partnership rather than seeking it elsewhere.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Slow It Down”
“Slow It Down” by The Lumineers is a plea from the singer to his partner, Angie, asking her to slow down and return to the safety and comfort of their committed love. He wishes for her to recognize the value of their long-term relationship over fleeting external thrills.
The song’s title “Slow It Down” suggests a plea or a request to slow down the pace of the relationship or, more metaphorically, to pause and reevaluate the direction it’s heading in.
In the song, the woman is desperate for glamour and excitement. The man seems to recognize that this rapid pace and pursuit of external allure could lead to the deterioration of their love.
Therefore, he urges his partner to slow down, come back to the stable and nurturing aspects of their relationship, and reconsider the choices they are making.
Throughout the song, the man takes on a protective role, cautioning his girlfriend about the potential pitfalls of the world outside. He warns that many men are driven solely by physical desires, symbolized by the line “These boys are out for blood tonight.” This implies that these external temptations pose a threat to the fidelity of their relationship.
In a broader sense, “Slow It Down” can be seen as a universal message about the importance of taking time to reflect on the direction of one’s life and relationships. It encourages a more measured and thoughtful approach rather than rushing headlong into fleeting pleasures and desires.

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.