At a pop-up show in New York on December 11, 2024, Baker said, “Did anybody’s parents ever say that they had to walk to school uphill both ways? This song is called ‘Downhill Both Ways.’”
During the Bandcamp listening party for Send A Prayer My Way, Baker said,
this song i wrote for my buddy austi...
[Verse 1]
I'm sitting on a curb with my greatest fear
Outside the discount tobacco and beer
Thought if I dove, it would get more clear
But it's all brown
Oh, half of my friends got a foot in the soil
Ballpoint pen and aluminum foil
Shuffling off this old mortal coil
Just to get out
[Verse 2]
So if you wanna hop in, I'll give you a ride
God, I'd really love if you would make it tonight
Try to pick you up around four or five
And go downtown
[Instrumental]
[Chorus]
Called it a miracle
Now you're learning what a living means
When everybody's as miserable as you
I don't wanna be cynical anymore
Think I'd rather stay asleep
Everyone's miserable like me
[Verse 3]
Brother, if you wanna, we can split our cash
For a little fresh tar and fiberglass
Shooting the moon about death and tax and gasoline
When I give you a promise just to prove it's a con—
Tryin' to be honest, I'm gonna get gone
In bed with my running shoes on and chasing a bad dream down
[Chorus 2]
Could've been anything I want
There’s nothing that I'm gonna stay
You change and then you change back
You could be any way you choose
What's the matter when it looks the same?
Going out and going back?
Now it's downhill both ways
[Instrumental Outro]
Downhill Both Ways was written by Julien Baker & TORRES.
Downhill Both Ways was produced by Julien Baker & TORRES & illuminati hotties.
Julien Baker released Downhill Both Ways on Fri Apr 18 2025.