The lyrics of Sarah Jarosz's song "Floating In The Balance" express the struggles and uncertainties of life, as the singer contemplates her place in the world and seeks to find meaning and purpose in her experiences. The opening lines evoke a sense of comfort and pleasure derived from music, as the singer revels in the "sonic satisfaction" that holds her "ears in sweet embrace." Yet this pleasure is tempered by an awareness of the cyclical nature of life, with its "endless chain reaction" of giving and taking. The song then moves into a reflection on the singer's own life, as she feels as though she is just "going through the motions" and acting out a predetermined role. She searches for a way to break free from this script and start a new chapter, going through the "pages of the life" she hopes to create. The lyrics take a darker turn as the singer describes the difficulties and frustrations of the creative process, with "calloused fingers" struggling to find inspiration on the "boardwalk of [her] muse." She feels as though she is on the verge of collapse and can succumb to the "blues" at any moment. Despite these struggles, the singer remains determined to make the most of her time and work with what she has. She recognizes that she can't save time, but she can make the most of it, throwing away watches and calling off bets to focus on living in the moment. The song concludes with a sense of openness and curiosity, as the singer looks to the wisdom of those who came before and seeks to find balance amidst the storms of life. She embraces the uncertainty and ambiguity of her situation, floating in the "balance" and trusting that she will find her way forward.
