Shadows & Reflections

Songs are often written about specific experiences yet when they are superbly crafted their meanings extend far beyond the situation about which they were written and their messages are far reaching. That is the case with this track. What truly strikes me about this track is how incredibly pensive and vulnerable the lyrics are. Lowering your defenses to be so introspective is challenging. I would assume it is even more so when you are putting those feelings into a song and releasing it out into the world.

I see with hindsight all too well

\

I see with hindsight all too well \

Myself

I find the idea of adulthood interesting; you turn a certain age and suddenly you feel its expected of you to make better decisions and just generally know what to do? At least that is the perception I had. I have since learned that adulthood in some ways is not all the different from adolescence. You still must make complex decisions often not knowing if you made the right choice or not and you will continue to make mistakes. The biggest thing that changes is that now you are responsible for any mistakes you make. This track had me reflecting on tough decisions I have made as it is about making a life changing kind of decision and looking back years later and reflecting on the decisions made.

There are several stark contrasts present in the track that stick out to me:

“I was wild

You were steady “

“I’ve been the villain

I’ve been the hero

I’ve been through heaven been through hell”

“I get down about the future

When I think about the past”

“I’ve seen my shadow and reflection”

Perhaps I am digging too deep here as I tend to do, but I wonder if these opposing terms are meant to illustrate the fact that this was a relationship which was just not going to work; representing the fact that the people involved were possibly just in contrary points in their lives.

Going back to the “villain & hero” part. I find this to be a profound way of illustrating the varying situations that we find ourselves in throughout our lives and what specifically stuck out was this realization that sometimes we may play the villain in the stories of others’ lives. I do not want to get deeply philosophical here, but I will just say I spent a while reflecting on this section.

There is one section of this song that has always been the most prominent to me every time I listen. On either side of it is diverging ideas; preceding it is the mention of living in the past and dwelling on what might have been. “I’m still living in what it could’ve been.” Following it are thoughts of moving on, coming to terms with what may happen and moving forward. It gets a bit fiery which I thoroughly enjoy.

 “See the road I could’ve taken

I see the life I could’ve had

I’ve seen my shadow and reflection

I see with hindsight all too well

How only in your eyes I saw myself”

 The mention of shadow and reflection have always sparked my thinking. Shadows and reflections can be both caused by interactions with light. The relationship mentioned in the track is now being seen in a different light. “I see with hindsight all too well.” I get this image of watching a previous relationship play out through a mirror you are seeing this reflection of your relationship, and everything plays out so much clearer; the good, the bad, all of it.

 “Find it hard to hear about you

Find it harder not to know

Found the feelings that I buried

With your things on the top shelf

The day I heard you found somebody else

I wasn’t ready I was wild

You were steady

Was too young to be engaged

Three years already

Heard that you’re getting married

Guess she’s cool with being second place

I’ll keep living with what it should’ve been

Knowing that you’ll love her til the end

And I won’t find myself in you again”

I find the stark truthfulness of this final part so endearing. When reflecting upon a relationship there are often things you know but just do not necessarily want to admit but here nothing is held back. Honestly, it speaks for itself I do not have anything to add.

 As both poetry and song this track is transcendent; the deeper meanings contained within are endless. Lisa’s voice gives this track such an authentic and impassioned feel. I am moved every time I hear it.