Lucy Dacus Come Out Meaning and Review

"Come Out," nestled within Lucy Dacus's collection of outtakes, Forever Is A Feeling, is a testament to her ability to weave profound emotional narratives with understated musicality. The track's foundation is built upon a gentle acoustic guitar melody, a signature Dacus element, which creates a serene yet palpably longing atmosphere. The subtle addition of piano keys, particularly their delicate descents, acts as a poignant motif, mirroring the yearning expressed in the lyrics. This layering of instrumentation amplifies the emotional weight of Dacus's vocals, which are both tender and resolute.

Lyrical Exploration of Disconnection and Desire

The lyrical content of "Come Out" is a raw exploration of longing and the frustration of being disconnected from a desired presence. Dacus vividly portrays a sense of alienation in the opening verse, juxtaposing the sterile environment of a "board room" with the raw, unfiltered desire to be elsewhere, specifically with the person she misses. The imagery of the cardboard cowboy and the "old men collecting dust" underscores the feeling of displacement and the urgency of her longing. The chorus, a simple yet powerful plea, "Come out, come out, wherever you are," encapsulates the central theme of the song, a desperate call for connection.

Raw Expression and Defiant Vulnerability

Verse two delves deeper into the frustration, with Dacus expressing a desire to break free from societal constraints and express her feelings with unrestrained passion. The image of screaming "your name, your name, your name" conveys an intensity of emotion that is both vulnerable and defiant. This raw expression of longing, the willingness to sacrifice her voice for the sake of expressing her love, adds a layer of poignant desperation to the track. The juxtaposition of loud, raw expression against the soft, gentle instrumentals creates a beautiful contrast, further highlighting the emotional depth of the song.

Isolation, Homogeneity, and the Anchor of Memory

The third verse explores the sense of isolation that comes with constant travel and the realization that places can feel homogenously devoid of meaningful connection. The observation of the "couple divorcees" and the "elderly couple with nothing to say" reflects a contemplation of the passage of time and the potential for emotional stagnation. Yet, even in this realization, Dacus finds a glimmer of hope in the memory of a person, a "sky around five" that reminds her of them. This section is a beautiful exploration of how memories of a person can anchor one to feeling, even when physically unmoored.

The Paradox of Longing and Acceptance

The outro, with its repeated plea "C'mon, c'mon, I'm ready for you," and the conflicting statement, "I can't wait, I can wait / But I don't want to," perfectly encapsulates the tension between impatient longing and the acceptance of waiting. It’s a beautifully human sentiment, capturing the paradox of wanting something intensely while also understanding the necessity of patience. "Come Out" is a masterful display of Dacus's ability to create intimate, emotionally resonant music, solidifying her reputation as a songwriter capable of capturing the complexities of human emotion with remarkable clarity and grace.

Listen to Lucy Dacus Come Out

Lucy Dacus Come Out Lyrics Meaning Explained

The meaning of "Come Out" by Lucy Dacus is a multi-layered exploration of longing, frustration, and the yearning for genuine connection amidst feelings of alienation. Through vivid lyrical imagery and emotional vulnerability, Dacus articulates the tension between societal expectations and the raw, unfiltered desire to be close to a loved one. The song navigates the complexities of distance, both physical and emotional, and ultimately culminates in a plea for openness and acceptance, echoing themes of both romantic yearning and the courage to reveal one's true self.

Forced Detachment and Alienation in Verse 1 

"Come Out" opens with a scene of forced detachment, "I missed your call because I was in a board room / Full of old men guessin' what the kids are getting into." This establishes a feeling of alienation, where professional obligations clash with personal longing. The surreal image of "a cardboard cutout of a cowboy in the corner / Pointin' his gun in my face" amplifies this sense of being threatened and out of place. The line "I don't belong here, nobody does / Except maybe those old men collecting dust" reinforces this, suggesting a hollow, inauthentic environment. The urgent question, "Why am I not wherever you are? / There is no distance that wouldn't be too far," echoes themes of longing found in "Modigliani" and "Lost Time," expressing a desire to bridge any gap. Similarly, "Even on opposite sides of the room / I am orbiting you" connects to "Bullseye," conveying a persistent, inescapable pull towards the other person.

The Urgent Plea for Connection in the Chorus

The chorus, "So come out, come out, wherever you are / I miss you, I miss you, I miss you in my arms," is a direct plea for connection. The phrase "come out" can be interpreted as a surrender in a game of hide and seek, or a reference to "coming out" of the closet, a bold declaration of desire. The addition of "Come out, come out, there's no need to hide / I want you, I want you, I want you by my side" reinforces this plea, adding reassurance and acceptance.

Raw Expression of Frustration in Verse 2

Verse two shifts to a raw expression of frustration. "I wanna be the man on Main Street with a megaphone / Screaming obscenities to the toddlers and the scandalized moms" is a rebellious outburst against societal constraints. The lines "I wanna scream from the bottom of my lungs / I wanna scream my throat raw" emphasize the intensity of emotion. The declaration, "And if that means I never sing again / At least I'll know I went out with a bang / Screaming my favorite things about you / Screaming your name, your name, your name," demonstrates complete devotion, willing to sacrifice art for love.

Isolation and Shifting Perspectives in Verse 3

Verse three explores the isolating nature of constant travel. "Waking up in a new city every day / Makes me believe more and more that they're all the same" speaks to the dilution of place. The generic imagery of "a pharmacy, coffee shop, bookstore, and bank / And a tourist attraction that most locals hate" reinforces this. However, even in these impersonal settings, "the sky around five might remind me of you." Observations like "a couple divorcees on a bad first date / And an elderly couple with nothing to say" reflect melancholy and emotional disconnection. The shift in perspective, "I used to think that'd be the worst / To grow old and run out of words / Now I have seen some incredible things / I could never describe if I tried," shows the realization that emotional connection transcends verbal expression.

The Paradox of Longing in the Outro

The outro, "C'mon, c'mon, I'm ready for you / I can't wait, I can wait / But I don't want to," encapsulates the tension between impatience and acceptance. It's a raw, honest expression of conflicting desires, a testament to the complexity of longing.

Lucy Dacus Come Out Lyrics

[Verse 1]

I missed your call because I was in a board room

Full of old men guessin' what the kids are getting into

There was a cardboard cutout of a cowboy in the corner

Pointin' his gun in my face

I don't belong here, nobody does

Except maybe those old men collecting dust

Why am I not wherever you are?

There is no distance that wouldn't be too far

Even on opposite sides of the room

I am orbiting you

[Chorus]

So come out, come out, wherever you are

I miss you, I miss you, I miss you in my arms

[Verse 2]

I wanna be the man on Main Street with a megaphone

Screaming obscenities to the toddlers and the scandalized moms

I wanna scream from the bottom of my lungs

I wanna scream my throat raw

And if that means I never sing again

At least I'll know I went out with a bang

Screaming my favorite things about you

Screaming your name, your name, your name

[Chorus]

So come out, come out, wherever you are

I miss you, I miss you, I miss you in my arms

Come out, come out, there's no need to hide

I want you, I want you, I want you by my side

[Verse 3]

Waking up in a new city every day

Makes me believe more and more that they're all the same

It's just a pharmacy, coffee shop, bookstore, and bank

And a tourist attraction that most locals hate

I hike up a hill where they say there's a view

'Cause the sky around five might remind me of you

There's a couple divorcees on a bad first date

And an elderly couple with nothing to say

I used to think that'd be the worst

To grow old and run out of words

Now I have seen some incredible things

I could never describe if I tried

[Chorus]

So come out, come out, wherever you are

I miss you, I miss you, I miss you in my arms

Come out, come out, there's no need to hide

I want you, I want you, I want you by my side

[Outro]

C'mon, c'mon, I'm ready for you

I can't wait, I can wait

But I don't want to