Discover the story of the song > Another Word For Desperate – Straylight Run

The protagonist is talking about a relationship where his partner reacts awkwardly and with an awful grin when he gets close or is wrong. He feels desperate to make promises and keep them, and when asked, repeats the question "what's another word for desperate?" The song suggests that something awful is coming their way and advises taking medicine in measured doses and not letting others tear you apart. The protagonist concludes that he won't be around there for very long.