Released: 2014
Royal Blood’s “Figure It Out” is a raw, gut-punch of a track that thrives on the duo’s garage rock roots while delving into themes of youthful confusion, unrequited love, and the hardships of moving on. It’s a song that encapsulates the dizzying experience of being caught in the throes of an emotional turmoil, all while trying to make sense of one’s feelings and intentions.
The song kicks off with a line that’s almost deceptive in its simplicity: “Nothing here to see / Just a kid like me.” Here, the band sets the stage with an image of innocence and naivety, introducing us to a protagonist who’s just starting out—”trying to cut some teeth,” or gain experience, in the emotionally fraught landscape of young adulthood. This line serves as a doorway into the song’s broader narrative: a struggle to understand and navigate complex emotional waters.
As the lyrics unfold, “Nothing better to do / When I’m stuck on you,” we dive deeper into the essence of the song. This captures a sense of fixation and obsession that often accompanies unrequited love or a complicated relationship. The protagonist is “stuck” on someone, metaphorically trapped by their feelings, unable to move forward but also unable to let go. The repetition of “trying to figure it out” becomes a mantra that underscores the entire song—this quest for understanding, for making sense of emotions that seem as confounding as they are overpowering.
The imagery intensifies with “Getting hard to sleep / Blood is in my dreams / Love is killing me.” Here we touch on the physical and mental toll of this emotional confusion. The lines use vivid imagery to depict how the protagonist’s turmoil has infiltrated their subconscious, manifesting as violent dreams and a visceral sense of being consumed by their own feelings. It’s a powerful portrayal of how love can sometimes feel more like a destructive force than a source of comfort.
The chorus brings a sense of resignation and acceptance of the inevitable, “I’ll let it go ’cause I won’t see you later / And we’re not allowed to talk it out.” It speaks to a situation beyond the protagonist’s control, possibly hinting at external barriers to the relationship, or simply the recognition that some things can’t be resolved through dialogue. The mention of breaking a shoe and planning a fall introduces a layer of clumsiness and desperation, suggesting attempts to catch the attention of or create a moment with the object of their affection, albeit in a manner that’s both haphazard and ultimately futile.
In essence, “Figure It Out” is a gritty, high-energy track that taps into the universal experience of young love and loss, the confusion that comes with growing up, and the sometimes painful journey towards self-understanding and acceptance. Royal Blood masterfully wraps these themes in a package of compelling riffs and a pulsating rhythm section, making “Figure It Out” not just a song but an experience—one that resonates long after the final chord has rung out.
