HOP BACK from VELVET by Cole Steef

This was the second song I had written after DEAR PHYSICAL (REST ASSURED), and the first that ended up being worked out in the studio. It cemented in place that this was the space I wanted to complete this record, and was one of three tracks that were made during my honeymoon phase in the local music scene (the others being the aforementioned DEAR PHYSICAL and the title track).

The initial idea for this album was to create a bunch of songs that reflected my perspective at a time where I first transitioned into adulthood, in which I carried myself with a level of overconfidence and manic aggression; that my life was my life and no one was going to stand in my way. With this came the idea to shine light on the criticisms and misunderstandings I had of other people at that time, and I feel that HOP BACK represents that perfectly. As someone who has lived a predominantly radio silent dating life, I always found it funny when people, especially around my age, would put themselves through relationships that were explicitly bad for them, and at the time of their escape, would claim to be totally ready to work on themselves...until logging into Tinder the very next day.

Though later on I found myself having these same struggles, HOP BACK, to me, demonstrates a sheer lack of principle in valuing oneself that is ever present in humanity. I generally try to avoid slipping back into the mentality I was in at that time, but of all the things to listen to from that young guy, this is one of them that serves me a great reminder to be me before being someone else's ideal.

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Tracklist

5.	HOP BACK	3:07

Lyrics

Oh, confident, so confident, in your principles
Vesuvius in their foundation
Oh, confident, in your discipline, and your acrimony
You’d be steady, chasing what you’re worth

Cease every whim that proceeds you
Apt to celebrating defeat and draw
You must be a fighter, though your ashtray scatters intentions of the feeblest gnaw

Hop back
And play til you never breathe
And top that
You gave up on, staunch in disbelief
It’s not bad
Change spoken, desire festering
So hop back
And top that
Hop back

Chest fluttering at the ratio
Thank you for participating, here’s what your body needs
By the records propelled from your craving to design
Paragon’s no sharper than in your stupor, it’s evergreen

(Light it up)
Make a habit of tears from your fingers
(Cut it out)
The manic self-decay smells like wine
(Tilt it over, over)
Fermented at first glance but you’re so
(High, high, high, high)
High for it

Be hopeful, sick, though it kills you
One hue to leave your palette blotched
There’s no shame in the familiar, so keep tasting trial, though
Growing’s the claim behind your watch

Hop back
Into your anxiety
And top that
One heart freshly grazed in Wonderland
It’s not bad
The farce, you’ll always work on you
So hop back
And top that
Hop back

Oh, confident, so confident in your principles, in your discipline, and your acrimony
You’d be steady chasing what you’re worth
Oh, confident, so confident in your principles, in your disciple, and your acrimony
Be steady chasing what you’re worth

Hop back
And strive til you never breathe
And top that
One heart freshly grazed in Wonderland
It’s not bad
Change spoken, desire festering
So hop back
And top that

Hop back
Smile living dichotomy when you say that
You’ve no time for games and childish pleasures
Enter chasm black, just as it’d make you duck your head
Cuz eager hearts blaze the crash
You made that
Hop back

Credits

from VELVET, released June 12, 2025

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