Moby found commercial and critical success with his fifth album Play (1999), which, after receiving little recognition, became an unexpected global hit in 2000 after each track was licensed to films, television shows, and commercials. It remains his highest selling album with 12 million copies sold. Its seventh single, "South Side", featuring Gwen Stefani, remains his only one to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 14. Moby followed Play with albums of varied styles including electronic, dance, rock, and downtempo music, starting with 18 (2002), Hotel (2005), and Last Night (2008). His later albums saw him explore ambient music, including the almost four-hour release Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep. (2016). Moby continues to record and release albums; his twenty-first studio album, Resound NYC, was released in May 2023.
In addition to his music career, Moby is known for his veganism and support for animal rights and humanitarian aid. He was the owner of TeaNY, a vegan cafe in Manhattan, and Little Pine, a vegan restaurant in Los Angeles, and organized the vegan music and food festival Circle V. He is the author of four books, including a collection of his photography and two memoirs: Porcelain: A Memoir (2016) and Then It Fell Apart (2019).
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby
Discography
Moby (1992)
Ambient (1993)
Everything Is Wrong (1995)
Animal Rights (1996)
Play (1999)
18 (2002)
Hotel (2005)
Last Night (2008)
Wait for Me (2009)
Destroyed (2011)
Innocents (2013)
Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep. (2016)
These Systems Are Failing (2016)
More Fast Songs About the Apocalypse (2017)
Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt (2018)
Long Ambients 2 (2019)
All Visible Objects (2020)
Live Ambient Improvised Recordings Vol. 1 (2020)
Reprise (2021)
Ambient 23 (2023)
Resound NYC (2023)
Downhill
Moby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Downhill
Downhill
Downhill
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Downhill
At first glance, the lyrics to Moby's "Downhill" appear to be a simple repetition of the title word over and over again. However, this repetition serves to create a sense of urgency and foreboding as if something terrible is about to happen. The repetition also hints at the cyclical nature of life, where things may seem to be going well for a period, but eventually, everything takes a turn for the worse.
The overall tone of the song is one of melancholy, and this is reflected in the lyrics. The word "downhill" suggests a descent into a dark and lonely place, and the repetition of the word adds to the sense of despair that the song portrays. The song is about feelings of hopelessness and the struggle to find a way out of a challenging situation. The repetitive nature of the song creates a feeling of being trapped, much like the struggles we face in life.
The song is a reminder that things can always be worse, and that it takes courage to face the world and keep fighting. The repetition of the word "downhill" serves as a warning, and the somber tone of the song is a reminder to keep moving forward even when things seem bleak.
Line by Line Meaning
Downhill
The descent of the slope.
Downhill
Going down the hill.
Downhill
Gravity pulling me down.
Downhill
The momentum making it harder to stop.
Downhill
I feel like I'm losing control.
Downhill
Fear and anxiety creeping up on me.
Downhill
I'm picking up speed.
Downhill
My heart racing with every inch.
Downhill
It's getting harder to breathe.
Downhill
The pressure and stress building up inside.
Downhill
The end seems so far away.
Downhill
I'm grasping for control.
Downhill
My mind won't stop racing.
Downhill
The anxiety and fear consuming me.
Downhill
I can't stop, even if I want to.
Downhill
It's like I'm on a runaway train.
Downhill
I can't see what lies ahead.
Downhill
I'm just hoping for the best.
Downhill
But I know it might not end well.
Downhill
I'm in a free fall.
Downhill
Just hoping to land safely.
Downhill
Trying to brace for impact.
Downhill
But I know I'll feel the crash.
Writer(s): Richard Hall Copyright: Richard Hall Music Inc.
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lizannewhitlow1085
My favorite from 18. I can play this over and over...
@lizannewhitlow1085
Can I “like” my own post?
@ShadowOfLink
Also my favorite from the B-Sides. I studied(?) the bass line and now I can play along this song. Merry Christmas to you all and your families and your friends. (Sorry for my bad english.) Greetings from Germany.
@DoctorObviously
In a hundred years or so, this should be considered as 'Digital Opera'.
@bjornwilder2073
a tip: watch movies at kaldrostream. Me and my gf have been using them for watching loads of movies recently.
@terrancejeffrey6175
@Bjorn Wilder yup, have been watching on kaldrostream for since december myself =)
@jameswilson5891
One of the best track
@ogyrah5244
It is my baby's lullaby❤
@guynelvand3560
so beautiful
@lizannewhitlow1085
I adore this.