Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: piano
Song Meaning of “Fire Escape” by Civil Twilight
“Fire Escape” by Civil Twilight is a reflective song which reflects on the arduous journey of leaving a place of comfort and taking risks to pursue a greater purpose. The narrator is telling a story of a former self that existed in a place of stagnation, and longs to escape willingly from the familiarity of these surroundings and venture into the unknown. The fire escape is symbolic of the ways of leaving the comfort of the past—a way that is different from the expected path, and it presents an opportunity to take action to fight against oppressive or stagnant systems.
The lyrics of the song focus on the idea that despite the potential for failure, it is worth stepping out of one’s comfort zone in order to make a change: “I’ll keep my eyes open, I’ll follow my heart, I’m gonna dive through a fire escape”. Taking risks and leaving the comfort of the past can lead to unpredictable outcomes, yet the narrator expresses their willingness to take the risk in pursuit of a greater purpose: “Don’t think I’ll be missing a soul of what I gave away”. They have confidence in their courage to pursue a better future, and will take whatever consequences that follow.
Ultimately, “Fire Escape” encourages the listener to step out of their comfort zone and take risks in order to reach their full potential. The narrator is inspiring and informing us to take hold of our own lives, and to make decisions that will help move us forward.