Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: industrial
Song Meaning of “Next to Last” by Mindless Faith
“Next to Last” by Mindless Faith speaks of a universal need for an ultimate source of comfort in an ever-changing and ever-uncertain world. The song reflects on how the only guarantee in life is death, and how the only sure rock to rely on is the faith in something greater than ourselves, whether that be a higher power or a religious ideology.
The lyrics juxtapose the idea of eternity, as seen in the chorus “I thought eternity would be enough, but we are left next to last,” and the idea of mortality as seen in the verse “I tried to believe that we could be forever, in the end the thought just faded away.” These points create a tension between the need for comfort and the reality of how quickly things can change and be fleeting.
The verses also demonstrate the idea that presence in the moment and accepting the mortality we all share is one of the most beautiful aspects of being alive. The lyrics explain that in the face of death we should take joy in the little things “so we could talk about what is to come and rejoice in the here and now,” and to cherish the moments between “this life and the afterlife” that may be “brief but for a lifetime.”
Ultimately, “Next to Last” serves as a reminder of our own mortality and how important it is to seek solace in the things that bring us peace and joy, while also cherishing each moment that life offers us.