: The lyrics "I've never hated myself more" are balanced by the gratitude for a friend or loved one who is still "trying" to be there.
For many in the community, "Trying" has become an anthem for those who feel they are "difficult" to love because of their mental health. It resonates particularly with queer and trans youth who find comfort in Skinner's candidness about his own growth and identity. The transition from the raw, 2015 bedroom-pop version to the more polished Sleepyhead production mirrors Skinner’s own journey as an artist—refining his voice while keeping the same vulnerable heart. Cavetown is trying to change - The Line of Best Fit
: Lines like "I'm trying to shout but no sound comes out" emphasize the isolation of mental illness—knowing you need help but being unable to bridge the gap to reach others. The Central Message: "I Promise I'm Trying" Cavetown - Trying
: By labeling his current state as just a "bump in the road," the song offers a glimmer of hope. It frames the pain not as a permanent failure, but as a difficult phase that requires constant, albeit exhausting, effort to overcome. Impact and Legacy
The lyrics use striking metaphors to describe the internal chaos of anxiety and depression: : The lyrics "I've never hated myself more"
The song’s core was born from a place of fear and a need for reassurance.
: Skinner has shared in livestreams that he originally wrote the song for his mother during a period of significant mental health struggles. He used the lyrics to express his fear that his struggles might make him difficult to love or that his mother might not "like" the version of him he was becoming. The transition from the raw, 2015 bedroom-pop version
: During live performances, Skinner has noted that the song helped him navigate the process of coming out, serving as a vehicle for the complex emotions surrounding identity and acceptance. Lyrical Themes: The Mental "Rubik's Cube"