Leaving the Monsters Behind

Album: Paging Mr. Proust (2016)
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Songfacts®:

  • Jayhawks frontman Gary Louris explained the song's meaning to Relix: "My songs have multiple meanings, but I knew it had something to do with my demons, addictions, so on and so forth - trying to get away from them. I kind of stay one step ahead of them."

    He added: "It has a funny combination of movement and also slowing down, stopping and being in the moment. It's kind of a push and pull and tug. This is one of those songs where it feels like you're moving through the entire song, probably because you're trying to run away."
  • R.E.M.'s Mike Mills contributed background vocals to this song and another Paging Mr. Proust track, "The Dust of Long-Dead Stars." Louris explained: "He happened to be out in Portland."

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