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Balance and Composure With You In Spirit Meaning and Review

Updated: Oct 6


A Somber Opening

Balance and Composure, the beloved Pennsylvania-based alternative rock band, have returned with a powerful new single, "With You In Spirit," serving as the closing track for their forthcoming album of the same name. Produced by the acclaimed Will Yip, known for his work with bands like Title Fight and Turnover, the song opens with a somber wall of sound, immediately establishing a melancholic tone that permeates throughout.


Emotional Resonance

Lead vocalist Jon Simmons' morose voice laments feelings of inadequacy and the weight of letting loved ones down, singing, "I'm not pulling my weight." His raw and emotive delivery draws listeners in, inviting them to share in his introspection. Around 55 seconds in, a jagged, distorted guitar riff introduces a melodic chorus that showcases the band's signature blend of soaring melodies and introspective lyrics. The instrumentation throughout the song is expertly crafted, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience that ebbs and flows with the emotional weight of the lyrics.



Moments of Reflection

A heavy bass section around the three-minute mark ushers in a slower, more contemplative passage, allowing the listener a moment to reflect on the song's themes. This is followed by shimmering guitars and a refrain that leads into the outro, leaving a lasting impression of both sonic beauty and emotional depth. The lyrics delve into themes of guilt, anxiety, and the struggle to maintain relationships in the face of personal demons. Lines like "Choking when it starts to get heavy, I can't bear the utter weight of it" and "Motivation has been not so hot, I am worthless" paint a vivid picture of inner turmoil and the search for connection.


A Welcome Return

Balance and Composure's return after a hiatus has been long-awaited by fans, and "With You In Spirit" does not disappoint. It is a testament to their ability to create emotionally resonant music that connects with listeners on a deep level. The band's signature blend of soaring melodies, introspective lyrics, and dynamic instrumentation is on full display, showcasing their growth and maturity as songwriters and performers.



High Expectations for the Album

If this track is any indication, the forthcoming album, "With You In Spirit," promises to be a welcome addition to Balance and Composure's discography. It is a powerful and poignant return from a band that has left an indelible mark on the alternative music scene. Fans can expect an album that explores the complexities of the human experience with honesty, vulnerability, and musical prowess.


Listen to Balance and Composure With You In Spirit 



Balance and Composure With You In Spirit Lyrics Meaning Explained

The meaning of "With You In Spirit" by Balance and Composure is a raw and poignant exploration of the internal struggles that often accompany strained relationships and feelings of inadequacy. The lyrics paint a portrait of a narrator grappling with guilt, anxiety, and a deep sense of dependency, all while feeling trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior and isolation.


An Analysis Balance and Composures Lyrics For "With You In Spirit"

Balance and Composure's "With You In Spirit" is a raw and emotionally charged exploration of guilt, anxiety, dependency, and the complexities of human connection. Through vivid imagery and poignant lyrics, the song invites listeners to share in the narrator's internal struggles and yearning for resolution.



Verse 1: The Lingering Guilt

The opening lines, "Guilt trip left in a voicemail / Erase or ignore still? / Or play it back all the time?" depict a lingering sense of guilt, symbolized by a voicemail that the narrator can't decide whether to confront or avoid. The feeling of not contributing enough ("I'm not pulling my weight, yeah, as a brother / That gets more true with time") intensifies over time, suggesting a growing disconnect or unfulfilled expectations within a familial relationship.


Pre-Chorus: A Plea for Recognition

The repetition of "Please recognize that I’m terrified / I’m mortified / I’m up all night" in the pre-chorus emphasizes the narrator's overwhelming fear and anxiety. They long for their emotional state to be acknowledged and understood. The sleepless nights further underscore the toll these feelings are taking.


Chorus: The Crushing Weight

The imagery of "Choking when it starts to get heavy / I can’t bear the utter weight of it / It crushes all" in the chorus conveys the suffocating nature of the situation. The narrator feels trapped, finding a perverse "safety" in withdrawing and neglecting their responsibilities ("There’s safety in my sole neglect / Tear apart the family, wipe my hands of it"), even though it causes further damage. The unfinished apology, "And I’m sorry for…", underscores the awareness of the harm caused but also a sense of helplessness in rectifying it.



Verse 2: Isolation and Longing

A sense of hopelessness and isolation pervades the second verse. The lines "This is impossible / I’m not alright / Losing my head" highlight the narrator's feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to cope. The disconnected state is further emphasized with "My phone is dead again, stuck in my bed / Turn out the lights," showcasing a retreat from the world. Yet, amidst this isolation, there's a longing for connection expressed in "I can be with you in spirit," suggesting a desire to bridge the gap, even if only in their imagination.


Bridge: Dependency and Self-Doubt

The final lines, "Motivation has been not so hot, I am worthless / It’s been way past overdue / And you’re locked in, I can feel it / I am nothing without you / I fall under, I fall under / I fall under without you," encapsulate the narrator's lack of motivation and self-worth, coupled with a deep dependency on the other person. The repetition of "I fall under without you" underscores the narrator's fear of being lost and alone, highlighting the centrality of this relationship to their sense of self.



Balance and Composure With You In Spirit Meaning 

"With You In Spirit" paints a portrait of someone struggling with their mental health and their role within a relationship. They feel overwhelmed by guilt, anxiety, and a sense of inadequacy. They withdraw and neglect their responsibilities, causing further damage, yet yearn for connection and validation. The lyrics express a deep fear of being alone and a reliance on the other person for a sense of purpose and stability.


Balance and Composure With You In Spirit Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Guilt trip left in a voicemail

Erase or ignore still?

Or play it back all the time?

I’m not pulling my weight, yeah, as a brother

That gets more true with time


[Pre-Chorus]

Please recognize that I’m terrified

I’m mortified

I’m up all night

Please recognize that I’m terrified

I’m mortified

I’m up all night


[Chorus]

Choking when it starts to get heavy

I can’t bear the utter weight of it

It crushes all

There’s safety in my sole neglect

Tear apart the family, wipe my hands of it

And I’m sorry for…


[Verse 2]

This is impossible

I’m not alright

Losing my head

My phone is dead again, stuck in my bed

Turn out the lights

I can be with you in spirit



[Pre-Chorus]

Please recognize that I’m terrified

I’m mortified

I’m up all night

Please recognize that I’m terrified

I’m mortified

I’m up all night


[Chorus]

Choking when it starts to get heavy

I can’t bear the utter weight of it

It crushes all

There’s safety in my sole neglect

Tear apart the family, wipe my hands of it

And I’m sorry for…


[Bridge]

Motivation has been not so hot, I am worthless

It’s been way past overdue

And you’re locked in, I can feel it

I am nothing without you

I fall under, I fall under

I fall under without you

I fall under, I fall under

I fall under without you


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