"Presumably Dead Arm (617 Sessions)" by Sidney Gish is a song that explores themes of disillusionment, disconnectedness, and the complexities of relationships. The song opens by stating that it's not the beginning of anything significant, but rather just a song the artist wants to sing. The setting described is a graveyard, where a seemingly lifeless arm emerges from the grass. The lyrics question why people don't talk about such eerie occurrences. The chorus addresses someone as "honey" and states that they are nothing more than symbols of pleasure and temporary happiness, represented by alcohol and dopamine. The narrator feels stuck and detached, dying metaphorically on a sofa with no sense of time. The narrator suggests that they love someone momentarily, but they don't wear a watch or own expensive things like a Rolex. They compare their thought process to that of a toddler roller skating down a hill, experiencing minor setbacks along the way. The second verse continues the detached and sarcastic tone. The narrator claims not to see others in a sweet manner, expressing bitterness as they feel overlooked. They mention a brief encounter during a coffee-table theater scene, dismissing the attention they received. The lyrics then shift focus to someone who is under the influence of drugs (LSD) and recovering from wisdom tooth extraction. This person is disoriented and unaware of the time, getting lost even in the shower. The song takes a turn as the narrator expresses a desire to know intimate details about someone, such as their passwords and personal memories. They want to understand the lyrics that person thinks of when they are high. This longing for connection contrasts with the narrator's previous detachment. The following verses touch on the narrator's fascination with strangers they've never met, finding beauty in unconventional attributes. They mention being in love with friends who come from overheated houses, until they retreat alone in their dorm bed. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the dismissive attitude towards the person addressed as "honey." However, the speech and emotions suppressed are shown to resurface with a vengeance, hinting at the complexity beneath the surface. The song concludes with the realization that the idealized notion of marriage and happiness may not be all that fulfilling. The narrator envisions a future where they forget their concerns until they wake up late and foolishly try to express themselves to an Uber driver. The song ends with a somber reflection on moving forward, despite feeling detached, carrying the weight of their "zombie arm" to an imagined 15th-grade prom. Overall, "Presumably Dead Arm (617 Sessions)" delves into feelings of disconnection, loneliness, and the struggles of finding genuine connection in a superficial world.
