"Slip Away" by Ultravox is a song that explores the theme of escaping and letting go. The lyrics depict a sense of longing for freedom and a desire to break free from the constraints of life. The song begins with the narrator asking to be entered gently, symbolizing a willingness to take risks and embrace change. They want to be released from their past, represented by the rags of their life covering their eyes. The lyrics then question whether the following events were a dream or reality. The mention of frontiers falling and empires fading suggests a sense of shifting boundaries and a need to move on. The narrator expresses the desire to slip away, or escape, from their current situation. The next verse talks about letting go of attachments and sorrows, symbolized by things blowing by and sails. The lyrics continue to wonder whether these thoughts were spoken by someone else or their own realization. The mention of slipping away reinforces the longing for freedom. The chorus emphasizes the uncertainty and confusion felt by the narrator. They question what they should do and plead not to be left alone. The lyrics express a desire to escape the present and find solace in the night. The following lines describe letters from lovers lining the grate, symbolizing missed opportunities and failed connections. The narrator questions whether they were speaking or if they were the ones who said that frontiers have fallen, indicating a longing for change and new beginnings. As the song progresses, the narrator feels a sense of surrender. Their hands fall open and their mouth is frozen, suggesting a loss of control. The mention of a chrysalis tumbling represents a transformative process, and the narrator is falling in slow motion. Ultimately, the song captures the idea of wanting to slip away, to escape the burdens of life and embrace a sense of freedom and new possibilities. It reflects the universal longing for change and the desire to let go and start anew.
