'Getting to the Bottom' by Tyler Childers – Lyrics & Meaning

There is a lot of self-actualization that occurs within Tyler Childers' new album, Snipe Hunter, with one of the collection's most introspective pieces coming by way of 'Getting to the Bottom'.

In the song, Childers examines the world and the people around him, taking their cues inward and realizing he'd rather follow his own path than succumb to the ways of the modern day rat race.

Throughout the tune, he attempts to unearth why we, as a society, are the way we are, choosing to ultimately be his own person and live and think the ways in which he sees fit.

A smooth Southern rocker, 'Getting to the Bottom' features smoldering riffs and a chug-a-lugging rhythm throughout. It's a sturdy song, steadfast and consistent, one that mimics the resolute message that unfolds within.

Bright steel flourishes and warm harmonies occasionally pepper the mix, but the tune doesn't stray far from its core arrangement of buoyant strings and a scuffling beat.

"I wonder how the old folks are at home
I wonder if it’s hotter than the devil’s dick on fire
In a wool sock that is soaked
I mean completely doused
In kerosene and set ablaze
The way it’s here right now"

In 'Getting to the Bottom', Tyler Childers takes a moment to assess the world as it is today. To himself, he brings forth queries about the people from his past, almost as a way of gauging the state of things.

He ponders if the "old folks" at home–likely back in the artist's native Kentucky–are "hotter than the devil’s dick on fire?" He wonders about his friends there too, thinking that they're probably off getting drunk and knocked around during one of those nights out they'll never remember.

"Do their livers scream for water," he asks in the song. "Are their brains about to swell / Through the small part of their temple / While they grind their teeth like hell."

It seems like these people he mentions are all caught up in this rat race of life, wasting away building themselves an existence they think they want. From the outside looking in, it appears to be a life that doesn't necessarily suit them for the better. They seem anxious and uneasy, always rushing to get somewhere, to some other day, yet they find themselves stuck in place.

They all feed into this mortal shit show and then get together to try and finger exactly why things aren't getting any better. In the song, Childers wonders, "Are they talking o’er each other / Leavin’ neary a stone unturned / Getting to the bottom of an angst hard fought to learn."

In other words, they've put in effort, gone round for round, to achieve this kind of sorrow and don't even realize it.

"I never wanna get that way again
Feelin’ like my head’s a house
With a roommate movin’ in
Who’s incessantly talkin’
Never slowing down
Possessed with evil urges burn it to the ground"

Childers sings that he's been there. He's been those people, lived his life with a head full of noise and gone about his days with blinders on. While then unbeknownst to him, he, too, had put in all the effort to feel that kind of insurmountable angst.

He compares that time in his life to being like a mouse who pestered a cat, shocked when he met the most obvious outcome–becoming dessert.

He assures listeners he never wants to be that way again, leading us all to believe that there is a way out of this cycle.

"The pheromones of this city
Secrete a sand quick set
To call forth from the recess
Of my mind the fear of death
The thrill my heart might thump so hard
It breaks a joist or worse
Getting to the bottom of an angst hard fought to learn
Getting to the bottom of an angst hard fought to learn"

I wonder how the old folks are at home
I wonder if it’s hotter than the devil’s dick on fire
In a wool sock that is soaked
I mean completely doused
In kerosene and set ablaze
The way it’s here right now

I wonder if my friends are fast asleep
Or are they off together somewhere stumblin’ through the street
Makin’ memries that will be
Forgotten with the moon
Leavin them to wonder why
Their legs and arms are bruised

Do their livers scream for water
Are their brains about to swell
Through the small part of their temple
While they grind their teeth like hell
Are they talking o’er each other
Leavin’ neary a stone unturned
Getting to the bottom of an angst hard fought to learn

I never wanna get that way again
Feelin’ like my head’s a house
With a roommate movin’ in
Who’s incessantly talkin’
Never slowing down
Possessed with evil urges burn it to the ground

With a tongue twitch like a lizard
And a grin just like a rat
Backed against a corner
After pestering the cat
Preparing to be peeled open
Just as easy as dessert
Getting to the bottom of an angst hard fought to learn

The pheromones of this city
Secrete a sand quick set
To call forth from the recess
Of my mind the fear of death
The thrill my heart might thump so hard
It breaks a joist or worse
Getting to the bottom of an angst hard fought to learn
Getting to the bottom of an angst hard fought to learn

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