[Lyrics] Trapdoor | RWBY Volume 9 Soundtrack

Second and final lyric video I'll be posting from the soundtrack this year! If you're looking for any of the other songs, I highly recommend fellow music RWBYtuber, FlyntofRWBY.
The RWBY Volume 9 soundtrack is now available for streaming and purchase.

[@Skeiths]

I feel like an idiot for not getting why the song was called "trapdoor" but it makes sense, she feels like she's constantly on the floor, unseen and she brings people down with her.

[@neotheresa]

Thank you for enlightening me. I couldn’t figure it out and was just like “probably just too philosophical for me. Anyway what a banger”

[@Thetis_009]

I thought it was a reference to how she literally fell through the floor. Or how she feels seconds away from giving up the while volume, falling through the door

[@RosileeJe]

I know this is a months-old comment now, lol. I also saw it as like a trapdoor can support something for a while but with too much weight or the right trigger it'll drop. So she feels like she's the leader and support who's meant to hold up her team, but that they shouldn't trust or need her to be that because she's not the stable support they believe in her to be. She's a trapdoor that's inevitably going to break and take them all down when that support drops out from beneath them

[@real_chichicherry123]

@@RosileeJe That is just... damn. Depressing ;;;

[@SSJSonRei]

I always thought of it as most like people getting close to her makes them disappear, as some of her close friends have all died right in front of her, like a trapdoor, once you get close it gives way and you vanish.

[@theredeft5319]

I really hope Ruby talks about this with somebody next volume. Just because she choose herself in the end doesn’t mean all these feelings and issues have gone away.

[@morningstarcollective4671]

yeah, like... she kinda made a suicide attempt in front of her whole team. In front of her sister. She's doing better, absolutely, but just that on its own, and the mental scars of being that low to do that so... aggressively. And STILL having a war to fight.

[@ketanmay8469]

Yeah her trauma isn't just wiped away. She just accepted it like everyone else. She'll still have a LOT to sort out in the future. Characters from other shows like Steven Universe didn't fully move through their feeling and traumas, did they?

[@maxentirunos]

We already need V10 to be greenlight to get anything out of this. But going by RT track record of 'only the current episode is canon', there is good chance they write like this one flashback of her mother telling her she was good enough as she was when she was 5-6 years old will wipe all doubt and depression she ever had.

[@theevilsmurf88]

I agree...ya know...if we get a Volume 10. It's been nearly 6 months now.

[@strings3065]

Knowing how the writing in RWBY is the only thing that will stay consistent will be Bumblebee 😂

[@dexdrex5090]

The lyrics: Ruby's internal struggle to keep that straight face What it sounds like: A high tier Death Battle song

[@BeautifulBelladonna]

Probably will be the song for Maka vs Ruby

[@Mary_Studios]

I mean this does play during a fight so...

[@multiverse_media2023]

@@BeautifulBelladonna This would make people vote for Ruby instead out of pity. I love Maka as much as everyone else, but this song…

[@jenmiranda13]

"You don't need me anymore. No, you don't see me anymore" is my favorite part. Mostly because when I feel down, that's what I feel like.

[@Little_miss_nobody125]

Same...

[@Little_miss_nobody125]

Everybody acts like I don't exist anymore which I think it's better that way

[@yesimviolet]

​@@Little_miss_nobody125you exist to me ❤️

[@Little_miss_nobody125]

@@yesimviolet 😊

[@mishalilia]

@@yesimvioletyou don’t even know each other but that’s wholesome

[@brandontherabboat4850]

This is just one of those songs where if you jam out to it in public, you the looks you’ll get will be extra-weird.

[@giygas9305]

That goes for like 98% of music tbh

[@Savannah_Simpson]

no one likes people who blare music in public. Get headphones

[@giygas9305]

@@Savannah_SimpsonAlso True

[@smashbrother980]

​@@Savannah_SimpsonUnless said music is rap/hip hop, for some reason

[@CmdrShepard95]

“I don’t feel like the chosen one” 😭💔 Oh Ruby sweetie, you didn’t need to be the chosen one

[@daysand123]

I love how different the music feels yet it catches that vibe that made rwby so enjoyable in its different light.

[@mastertjt56]

I love the different music choices for this volume. "You don't need me anymore" I think this line imo reflects how she feels about her team or more so Jaune. Jaune and Ruby really need a hug after this season

[@Rairosu]

When it comes to Ruby unable to express her true feelings, Humans regardless of who you are, You cannot bottle up your emotions forever it will have to come out eventually.

[@RokugenRyz]

Ruby really needs a hug

[@Starfall_abyss]

I never thought Raven cared about ruby ._.

[@andyreacts]

​@@Starfall_abyssRuby is the daughter of one of her best friends. She might show her the cold shoulder when on opposing sides, but of course she cares about her, at least to some extend.

[@Starfall_abyss]

@@andyreacts wait, when did I even reply about raven caring about ruby??? Wth-

[@lol_Ozma]

@@Starfall_abyss yeah why would Raven of all people suddenly start caring about Ruby when she doesn't really care enough for Yang.

[@alexielouisl.8462]

how have i missed this song this goes so hard! like other ppl say even though ruby finally stood up for herself it doesn't mean she's out of the woods yet, all i can hope for s10 (if it happens) is that she goes through all of that, and like in s9, she comes out at the top of it all!

[@Z0MB1ESLAYER115]

I WILL give Ruby a hug, that one after the cat's defeat wasnt enough, she needs more. if for no other reason than she still needs it just because. But no, poor ruby. After everything in vol 6 to the end of 7, all of 8, and most of 9 until this point, she was hurting so much. AND THEN THE ICE CREAMS LITTERALY BEATS HER DOWN EVEN MORE

[@jecrex8349]

6 raised the stakes, 7 was tense, 8 built the pressure, which broke her in 9. Didn't help her teammates were next to useless emotionally after leaving the jungle at the start of chapter 2. Neo didn't realize just how easy it would be to break Ruby at this point.

[@lucastep310]

@@jecrex8349probably why Neo was in shock after Ruby drank the tea so willingly.

[@jonathonsirlord8251]

​​@@jecrex8349it's Ruby's teammates that didn't help her Not even her own Sister I thought Neo was gonna make it up to her big time But I say Everyone has to make it up for Ruby especially Jaune and the only thing that's gonna make it up Is by making Lancaster Official

[@jecrex8349]

@jonathonsirlord8251 I said her teammates were next to useless after the first half of chapter 2. Weiss was more concerned with the rain (caused by Ruby's emotions) and later got pissy with Ruby about not getting the ingredient despite the cat asking who Ruby was talking to. Blake was always the first to get everyone focused on their goal of escape and putting off the discussion, then insisted they help Jaune. Yang was always "The Cat's gone," and her eyes on Blake after that. I give Jaune a pass on 2 merits: First, he wasn't present until episode 6 and therefore had less time to notice (granted Ruby's reaction to Crescent Rose should've tipped him off, and Second, he had been dealing with his own trauma for a significantly longer time. Jaune also apologized instantly, but the damage was done. Going back to the girls, Ruby has a panic attack, that nearly got her killed no less, but her entire team goes to comfort Jaune and has the audacity to ask her to chip in for him.

[@jecrex8349]

@lucastep310 no, that was the emptiness of vengeance. She has victory, but what has she won? What next? Besides, your comment implies Ruby didn't try to fight it. Neo weaponized Ruby's trauma to make her want to end her suffering above all else. Ruby fought it until she had nothing left.

[@renjixlord152l5]

1:24 I can’t dude

[@Brizeroni]

I love trapdoor

[@charredeggroll1967]

For anyone who might be unsure, yes this is a suicide song.

[@lovelyrodriguez2190]

I think a pre "suicide". Mostly just depressive thoughts taking over.

[@Out_with_a_Yang]

This song is so upsetting yet such a bop this feels illegal

[@jecrex8349]

I don't know if it's just me, but at the end of the first verse I hear "To fight the urge TO stay" not "AND." I feel it would make more sense logically as well, as the urge to stay would be her teammates, her friends, her family, but she's lost and the weight of that responsibility is pushing her away. It doesn't help that her teammates have neglected her evidently deteriorating mental state until she snaps. With how the lines start "A beat, a step, is all you need" makes it sound more spur of the moment, similar to how Ahsoka left the Jedi Order in Season 5 Episode 20 of the Clone Wars. Ruby, by this point of the Volume has one foot out the door, her team's goals don't fully allign with her needs, but they are too focused on getting home that Ruby herself is ignored. Throughout the show, Ruby has been seen to be the most selfless and compassionate person, but as her naivete and innocence is shattered, the facade cracks. Ruby's worked so hard to live up to her mother's example, but she never really knew Summer. Summer left on that mission when Ruby was 5 at the latest. So Ruby's image of Summer is secondhand, glowing remarks from those that knew her, the PERFECT SELFLESS HUNTRESS. She's trying to live up to perfection, not knowing her mother's flaws, and as the world falls into chaos around her, she's worn down. Penny's death breaks her. She holds the broken pieces of herself together for a time but when she tries to open up, she's ignored or told to put it off. Yet Blake and Yang get to find themselves, take the time to work through their emotions. Not a bad thing, obviously, but from Ruby's POV it hurts, you can't make time for me, but you get to be happy. The last straw is after the fight with the walkers, Ruby is shaken from her PTSD induced shock that nearly got her killed, but Jaune gets her team's help from an emotional standpoint and they prompt her to chip in. She has nothing positive left to give, as her facade finally falls away, she lets her team hear it. She's always got to be the selfless one, the spark of hope, the one to pick others up and inspire them. But what about her, doesn't she deserve a break, doesn't she deserve help, can someone please save her for once. Her connection to her friends was the urge to stay, but they've neglected her as she fell into a downward spiral. She can't trust them, and so she leaves. Again, I could just be hearing it wrong. I didn't mean to write an essay. If "and" is the official lyric, that's fine. I just misheard it, and found meaning thru the alternative.

[@a-mellowtea]

The official lyrics do read "To fight the urge and stay", but I love the meaning you found in what you hear!

[@jecrex8349]

@a-mellowtea same thing happens with I BURN chorus. I don't hear, "You got nothing that can stop me." It's too few syllables. I hear "You can not stop me"

[@infiniteaj8688]

​@@jecrex8349 Well as far as 'I Burn' goes, I'm pretty sure that line is "And you're not stopping me." This line was always a bit messy due to the "I Burn" overlapping the end of it, but the first three words are clearly "And you're not", which only leaves a few options for what the end could be. And sure enough, after checking the lyrics on the RWBY Wiki, that seems to be the case. As for 'Trapdoor', both 'to' and 'and' can be used and it would still make sense, it just depends on your interpretation of the lyrics as a whole. "To fight the urge to stay." - This one would be in line with your interpretation, in that Ruby's reason to stay is her teammates/family, and despite everything she's going through she still wants to stay with them. "To fight the urge and stay." - This one would be in reference to the previous stanza, which says "To walk away". In this case, Ruby's urge is 'To walk away', so she's fighting that urge in order to stay with her friends. They both effectively mean the same thing, just looking at it from opposite angles. So its honestly completely up to the listener. Personally I've always heard 'to' rather than 'and', but I think its cool how both capture Ruby's feelings from different ends. It probably wasn't intentional when the lyrics were being written and sung, but it can almost represent Ruby's turbulent emotions, in which she doesn't really know what she wants. What's her reason to fight? What's her reason to stay? Should she just give up and leave? Would things be better that way? At the point in which this theme is played, she has no clear answer...just like how the answer between 'to' and 'and' is unclear when listening.

[@GiantDad553]

I think it's better interpreted as "To fight the urge and stay" the "urge" Ruby has to leave, go away, or as shown to us as she's pushed to her absolute limit, suicide. Then of course the "and stay" is fighting off the negative feelings and continuing to moving forward, literally one of the key and repeated messages of the show. Monty Oum's message, keep moving forward.

[@danielguinea2971]

On the other part, I think that those lines contrast the previous lines about wanting to lave. When you're depressed you want to disappear and she has a conflict between wanting to leave and staying. Because of that I think that fighting the urge and stay feels logical

[@RussTheMaster]

This song is one of my top 5 favorites out of all the RWBY songs. It amazes me how much of a dark song this is, but I enjoy listening to it. Casey is so great at making dark upbeat songs.

[@weirdmyst7963]

I really hope the next volume is released just for the music. Forget the anime, I could listen to volumes of RWBY Soundtrack all day

[@ShadicTheChosenOne]

I love this song so much, I have it on repeat quite often.

[@turmalin5072]

hot take but this song also perfectly represents Oz's struggles and thoughts

[@FaisLittleWhiteRaven]

I don't think it's a hot take so much as you correctly recognising Ruby and Ozpin's struggles are mirror images of each other thematically

[@n8298906]

As a Kingdom Hearts Fan, this song encapsulates the character Aqua. She was taught by her Keyblade master that siding with the light is always the righteous thing and that darkness should be smitten. This caused a rift with her friends Terra and Ven when they were struggling with their darknesses and her own self-righteous beliefs pushing them away when they needed her support. Even estranged from her friends Aqua still risked her life to try to save them from their inevitable faiths. She was forced to battle both of her friends while they were possessed, and even sacrificed herself to be trapped in the real of darkness to save one of them (who later became one of the villains of the series because of his possession). A keyblade master and guardian of light trapped realm of darkness ALONE for 10 years you'd think someone would come to save her but no the worlds moves on without her with new keyblade masters and guardians of light, and even then she still sacrifices her chances at freedom just so the new generation can have a chance at saving the worlds. While trapped in the realm of darkness alone she hallucinates visions of her friends while fighting hordes of creates of darkness and eventually her heart falls into darkness corrupting her eventually she is saved and free by the new generation but she has hella PTSD and is thrown into another conflict to save her friends and the worlds. And as much as Aqua tries to save everyone she seems to always fail in some way much like Ruby.

[@KyloRen4238]

🎵A BEAT A STEP IS ALL YOU NEED TO WALK AWAY A BEAT A STEP IS ALL YOU NEED TO FIGHT THE URGE AND STAY YOU DON'T NEED ME ANYMORE NO, YOU DON'T SEE ME ANYMORE I TRY MY BEAT TO LEAVE THE FLOOR BUT I CAN'T GET PAST THE DOOR YOU DON'T NEED ME ANYMORE NO, YOU DON'T SEE ME ANYMORE I'M ALONE IN THIS WAR I AM A TRAPDOOR THE PAIN IT KEEPS INVADING IT'S SHOWING ALL OVER MY FACE THOUGH I TRY TO KEEP HOPE ALIVE AFTER ALL THE THINGS I'VE SAID AND DONE I DON'T FEEL LIKE THE CHOOSE ONE HOW WILL THEY SEE ME IF I LOSE MY FAITH? YOU DON'T NEED ME ANYMORE NO, YOU DON'T SEE ME ANYMORE I TRY MY BEAT TO LEAVE THE FLOOR BUT I CAN'T GET PAST THE DOOR YOU DON'T NEED ME ANYMORE NO, YOU DON'T SEE ME ANYMORE I'M ALONE IN THIS WAR I AM A TRAPDOOR WATCH IT ALL UNFOLD AS I CASCADE BELOW FROZEN IN THE DARKNESS MOMENT I CAN'T BEAR THE WEIGHT I HOLD WATCH IT ALL UNFOLD (WATCH ME FALL) AS I CASCADE BELOW FROZEN IN THE DARKNESS MOMENT I CAN'T BEAR THE WEIGHT I HOLD🎵

[@tiago4826]

ok hear me out: a RWBY fighting game. The show has cool characters (with even cooler weapons/powers), killer tracks, and some nice scenarios, what else could it need?

[@whatalegendarybeast5361]

Yes! I'm not the only one who thinks this would be sick

[@michaualtington]

i mean there's rwby characters in blazblue crosstag

[@tiago4826]

@@michaualtington exactly! now imagine everyone from RWBY fighting there

[@arendellecitizen208]

Wasn't there something called RWBY Amity arena once?

[@tiago4826]

@@arendellecitizen208 i think that was some sort of Gacha Edit: the game actually looks like Clash Royale wth XD

[@chutaku5338]

love the song and the editing :) thanks for uploading the lyrics so speedily

[@Insømni0928]

Been waiting for this since I heard it in the ep!

[@JoshOveson]

I could not wait for my emo song! It is great sped up.

[@ChiDante]

When they don't see you anymore it's time to leaf, have some tea

[@scootspook4699]

This song triggers a sadness deep within me, that not i even i want to face.

[@blazeravenscar]

I agree, and I felt that… Its not a place anyone should be in.

[@Savannah_Simpson]

This song honestly does a better job of explaining Ruby’s state of mind during the volume than the show did. Especially the second verse.

[@TheClumsyXeno]

To be fair, RWBY is a show that really relies on its music to tell the story

[@artofthepossible7329]

The weird/interesting thing is that V9 is the least subtle Volume about what goes on in Ruby's head. Sidenote: Seriously, besides V1, Ruby talks so little about herself that it's a wonder people manage to be in character whilst writing from her PoV.

[@Felix-vi9ht]

Thanks for your Work, I love how you keep uploading RWBY content. Thanks for been part of my day 🎉❤

[@a-mellowtea]

My pleasure!

[@jeffreysmith236]

that is the most striking artwork of Ruby I have ever seen. Did you make this?

[@a-mellowtea]

Yes, the artwork is one of mine ^^ Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@rpgfrog2330]

@@a-mellowtea Whoa it looks like official art work. Well done! You really got the style down

[@jeffreysmith236]

@@a-mellowtea may I purchase a copy?

[@a-mellowtea]

@@jeffreysmith236 Oh, goodness, I don't have any physical copies or anything available for purchase ^^; I appreciate the interest, though!

[@jeffreysmith236]

@@a-mellowtea oh, I always thought it was digital art, and wanted a copy for my computer desktop, if you don't mind.

[@Starfall_abyss]

Less go! thanks for the lyrics! also good thumbnail!

[@crowsenpai5625]

It’s nice how before RWBY unceremoniously ended, Ruby got her own angst-y “I’m a burden to everyone around me.” Song to go along with her Uncle Qrow’s “Bad Luck Charm”

[@joshk9226]

YEEEEEEEAAAAH THIS IS THE ONE

[@dexie135]

2:01 best part for me

[@ya-so4eq]

I hear it like,twice a day!❤

[@LilAl-h6h]

This song hits hard in the feels, and as a major side note: these fools need some major therapy or something please 🙏😭

[@Kobob_KC]

Fire

[@pikapika123]

Thanks for the quick upload! Who’s the artist? Do you have a link to their post? Artwork is beautiful!

[@a-mellowtea]

Thank you for the kind words! The artwork used in the video is one of mine, and you can find it here: twitter.com/a_mellowtea/status/1644528557035515906

[@miasparkl679]

​@@a-mellowteaYou're drawing is awesome 😎!! I wish I could draw like this!

[@Starfall_abyss]

@a-mellowtea Dang that's your work? Wow I gotta admit your art is amazing!

[@jecrex8349]

@a-mellowtea love crescent rose in a red hard light form. Ruby looks worse for wear, as she should in line with the volume. You did great with this image.

[@TheRichmaster24]

that's was pretty impactful

[@lucastep310]

Theory/suggestion for those who are interested listening: Listen to this in the context of Summer Rose trying to stop Ruby from trying to be like her again (similar to red like roses 2). It brings an entire new meaning to the song.

[@bcar2263]

...your mind 🤯 Now I really wish that was the context 😭😭

[@DespairFever]

Is it just me or does 1:59 sound familiar like I heard it from a popular song I just can't figure out what it is

[@DylonSan]

Yes I feel the same. Love how it sounds too.

[@pudgiehedgie]

I'm fairly certain it's the motif of this will be the day sped up

[@leonchau345]

I SORRY I CAUSED YOU SO MUCH PAIN

[@CoffeePotGames]

Look up Dance Gavin Dance - One in a Million

[@Nova-_-]

When life gets to be too much, we are at our most volatile. We could make damn near any choice in a (heart)BEAT. A single STEP is all it takes to make that choice. Is it even our choice when anything could push us over in any direction it wants at any moment? The choices others make in those moments are CRUCIAL. And Ruby's allies didn't see the warning signs.

[@daniyalabbas1332]

This kind of also feels like a Jaune song as well tbh. Especially since it plays after team RWBY called him "not all there" and they need a real guide. Even has his Leitmotif constantly playing. My man just can't catch a break. :'( "I couldn't even be the make believe hero" ~Jaune "Rusted Knight" Arc

[@Blackdragon99omfg]

Jaune and Ruby, vastly different. Ruby was practically groomed to be this chosen one and is coming to harsh realisations about what that means. Knowing she is forced to walk a suicide road and was only 16 when it started. Jaune chose it with false ideals and the realisation has hit him, but he CAN walk away. Ruby's existance is her plight.

[@slateoffate9812]

Suddenly imagining this as part the st of a fanfic I started, The Legend of Zelda With Courage Without Choice 1st Dungeon: Colosseum Temple Key Item: Multi-shield(like a sci-fi Hylian Shield) Boss: Impa

[@derrickdaniels3955]

Sounds cool

[@TripleBakaSquad]

This song is extraordinary.

[@claireskitchen4790]

Ruby's trauma is getting worse because of Neo

[@KyloRen4238]

This is awesome. Love it. This shit is pretty kool. 💙💛💙💙💛💛

[@matteomiriello1661]

We see a different Ruby Rose in the next Volume.

[@nitin1140]

We waited for uraa

[@twentieswiredweird]

#greenlightvolume10

[@neo_rose197]

Hii i have a question Will u be uploading more rwby lyric songs of volume 9 soon?

[@a-mellowtea]

Not this year, no. I only ever upload a few. FlyntofRWBY ought to have his lyric videos up soon, though!

[@matthewkeen6281]

Nice

[@juicebox7372]

I don't care what anyone says it still sounds like she's saying "eat the floor"

[@kowabonga3552]

Could you make Off-Vocal version of this song, please?

[@humbledexrian]

Is this Ruby talking to herself?

[@iamrighthere3767]

What? No videos for Checkmate or Chatterbox?

[@a-mellowtea]

The official lyrics for "Chatterbox" can be found on FlyntofRWBY's channel. I only ever do a handful of lyric videos a year; although, seeing as how neither Flynt nor I have done "Checkmate", I might see about putting one more up.

[@arendellecitizen208]

Is your username some sort of crossover ship name with Weiss and someone called Edel? (because that would be very dope) Hmm, so it's actually a flower... even more so would be a good ship name.

[@011...]

RWBY NOOOO!!!!

[@Gabriel-ts9nl]

🌟 P R O M O S M