Sadie explained the song:
The song is more about accepting the comfort you get from your bad habits, and how hard it can be to let go of them, and trying not to be angry at yourself for that because we’re all just human.
Took a walk in the sunlight
'Cause it wasn't a bad night
Breaking your furniture up with steel-toed boots
Swapping sweat in a steam room
You transformed into beast form
Said you'd see me soon
Soon enough we were waking up
As a two for one
Now I guess we're backsliding into hell
Into hell
Into hell
But at least we know each other well
When I finish the program
You'll be stepping it up
Gaiting straight in Japan
Piggyback to the scratch off sale
And salute me there
I guess we're backsliding
Into hell
Into hell
Into hell
But at least we know each other well
Through all of this kissing and tattle-telling
Stricture's getting murky
But I do perceive our clan's destiny
I guess we'll have to wait to be friends
To be friends
But at least we know each other
Here in hell
Here in hell
Here in hell
But at least we know each other still
Seeing you is the highlight
In a saccharine movie I've gotta keep on mute
Backslidin’ was written by Sadie Dupuis.
Speedy Ortiz released Backslidin’ on Fri Apr 27 2018.