In a 2016 Pitchfork interview, Evan describes what “Aphasia” is about:
aphasia is a neurological condition that prevents you from accessing words well, and we have a song called “Aphasia,” and people have asked, “Do you actually have aphasia?” No, it’s a metaphor. It’s a fear of mine that I won’t b...
[Verse 1]
So satisfied, I said a lot of things tonight
So long, aphasia and the ways it kept me hiding
It's not so much exactly all the words I used
It's more that I was somehow down to let them loose
[Verse 2]
So complicated, I can't wait to get explaining
Your listening distended out since I've been crying
So long, aphasia, and the ways it kept me hidden
So long to silent nerves and hesitant oblivion
[Verse 3]
You came and sent me out unfurling in the street
I felt unprecedented confidence in speaking
Just stick around, I'm thinking things'll be alright
Newly delivered, won't you live with me tonight?
[Verse 4]
Something tonight was such a let down on my pride
It takes a part of me I don't got to take some things in stride
I'd pace around the place so quiet in myself
I'd wake the next and see my silence went unfelt
[Verse 5]
Just when I thought I had this pattern sorted out
Apparently my ventricles are full of doubt, now
Nah, things go wrong sometimes, don't let it freak you out
But if I don’t have you by me then I’ll go underground
[Verse 6]
Nah, but what you've got was in your reaches all along
Plus one day you’ll be reaching for me and I’ll be gone
So to help remind myself I wrote this little song
[Bridge]
One day I won’t need your love
One day I won't define myself by the one I’m thinking of
And if one day I won't need it
And one day you won't need it
Aphasia was written by Evan Stephens Hall.
Aphasia was produced by Pinegrove.