Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: goth
Song Meaning of “Paralyzed” by The Gathering
Paralyzed by The Gathering speaks about the feeling of utter paralysis and disconnection from the world or reality. It can be in relation to mental health or real-life events that have happened to the individual. The lyrics capture feelings of helplessness, guilt, and fear in the face of tragedy: “All my sorrowful thoughts, cold in this winter night/ Tear at me ’til I recognize, I’m just paralyzed”. Here, the person experiences the crushing weight of emotional pain, unable to cope or figure out how to move forward.
The song also speaks to the idea of being frozen in time, unable to keep up with the demands of life. The narrator feels unable to overcome the insurmountable struggles they face, even with all the support of those who are trying to help them: “In my corner, I’m standing still/ All my anthems of failure too scared to move, but ready to change”. Here the individual is overwhelmed and stuck in limbo, unable to take the steps needed to get away from the pain.
The Gathering does an excellent job of bringing to life the painful and draining effects of guilt and hopelessness. With its lyrics, the song conveys the powerful struggle of dealing with such emotions, and how, sometimes, the only way to cope is to be touched by somebody, or something, that will be able to bring some life back into an otherwise paralyzed existence.