The song "Walking Away" by HAIM is about the pain and frustration of a failing relationship. The lyrics depict a situation where one person is unwilling to communicate and work through their issues, causing the other person to feel neglected and hurt. The song begins with the narrator expressing their desire to talk and resolve their problems. They question why the other person has not made an effort to face the issues and criticize their absence during difficult times. The narrator feels like they have waited for hours, hoping for some sort of resolution, but instead, they only hear sirens and suffer through lies. As the song progresses, the narrator decides to walk away from the relationship. They realize that the other person is not willing to give or make changes, and they acknowledge that if they had wanted to, they would have already tried. The narrator reflects on their efforts to avoid thinking about the situation and how it has affected them emotionally. The chorus repeats the phrase "walking away" as a mantra, emphasizing the narrator's decision to distance themselves from the relationship. They highlight the repeated betrayal and lack of effort from the other person, leading them to conclude that it is best to let go. Towards the end of the song, the narrator acknowledges the familiarity of their situation, as it has happened before. However, they never expected to be the one who was betrayed. Despite this realization, they are determined not to wait for the other person anymore. They believe that there is nothing the other person could say to make them reconsider the chances they had and how they were mishandled. The song concludes with the repetition of the phrase "say something." It represents the narrator desperately wanting the other person to speak up and express themselves before it's too late. The repeated plea is a last-ditch effort to salvage the relationship, but ultimately, the decision to walk away has already been made. Overall, "Walking Away" explores the pain and resignation that comes with realizing a relationship is no longer healthy or worth fighting for. The lyrics convey the emotional journey of the narrator as they recognize the need to prioritize their own well-being and let go of a relationship that has caused them nothing but pain.
