Ashes & rust Lyrics – Jeremy Zucker

Meaning of ‘Ashes & rust’ Lyrics Explained

Verse 1 Meaning:
This verse paints a picture of a lonely, disconnected situation. The singer spends hours in the back seat of a car, feeling numb and indifferent. After a long drive, they take a shower and say goodnight, perhaps to a person who’s emotionally distant. The reference to sitting glued to a chair, playing solitaire, shows a sense of isolation, as the singer repeats they’re “fine,” even though they’re not truly okay.

Pre-Chorus Meaning:
In the pre-chorus, the singer talks about wasting time during the hot August days. They watch their mother try to get attention from someone who isn’t responding, as she tries to distract herself by pouring wine. It suggests a family dynamic where someone is emotionally unavailable or indifferent, and the singer feels helpless watching their mom struggle to get attention.

Chorus Meaning:
The chorus expresses frustration and hurt towards someone who has caused pain but hasn’t changed. The singer wonders who will remember this person after all the damage they’ve done. If they can’t change for the family, the least they could do is fake it, pretending to care. The song reflects on the sadness of living a life without leaving love behind, suggesting that life is ultimately about fleeting moments (“ashes and rust”) until everyone fades away. It’s a powerful reminder of life’s impermanence.

Verse 2 Meaning:
In this verse, the singer reflects on the usual neglect they’ve experienced, like the person skipping important moments (like a funeral) and showing little effort to connect, offering only a card or call when it’s expected. The repetition of “some years” highlights the inconsistency and lack of care over time, showing that this pattern has been going on for years, creating emotional distance.

Pre-Chorus Meaning:
Here, the singer reassures their mother that everything is fine, even though it’s clearly not. Their mom is missing her father, and it’s revealed that she wants to be everything she never had, perhaps longing for the kind of love and attention that was missing in her life. The singer is caught in a position where they have to mask the hurt, trying to ease their mom’s pain.

Chorus Meaning:
The chorus is repeated here, reinforcing the same sense of hurt and frustration. The singer again questions who will remember the person who caused so much pain and who never made any effort to change. There’s an emotional plea for them to at least pretend to care. It reflects on how life, with all its missed connections and lost love, is ultimately fleeting and turns to “ashes and rust” as everyone fades into nothing. The repetition of this chorus underscores the unresolved grief and acceptance of life’s impermanence.