Cavetown - Trying Link
: Skinner has shared in livestreams that he originally wrote the song for his mother during a period of significant mental health struggles. He used the lyrics to express his fear that his struggles might make him difficult to love or that his mother might not "like" the version of him he was becoming.
The emotional peak of the song lies in its chorus, which shifts from internal struggle to an external plea for patience:
: During live performances, Skinner has noted that the song helped him navigate the process of coming out, serving as a vehicle for the complex emotions surrounding identity and acceptance. Lyrical Themes: The Mental "Rubik's Cube" Cavetown - Trying
: By labeling his current state as just a "bump in the road," the song offers a glimmer of hope. It frames the pain not as a permanent failure, but as a difficult phase that requires constant, albeit exhausting, effort to overcome. Impact and Legacy
The song’s core was born from a place of fear and a need for reassurance. : Skinner has shared in livestreams that he
: Lines like "I'm trying to shout but no sound comes out" emphasize the isolation of mental illness—knowing you need help but being unable to bridge the gap to reach others. The Central Message: "I Promise I'm Trying"
: The opening lines describe trying to "form these feelings into cubes" and sort them in his mind. This highlights a desperate attempt to make sense of overwhelming emotions, separating "negative thoughts" from "happy things" just to function. Lyrical Themes: The Mental "Rubik's Cube" : By
: Skinner describes feeling like he is in a "dream state" where he should have "woken up by now," a common sentiment for those experiencing dissociation or a sense of being stuck in a cycle of poor mental health.