Babylon

The song 'Babylon' by 5 Seconds Of Summer delves into the emotional journey of a relationship that has reached its zenith and is now facing its inevitable decline. The lyrics paint a picture of a couple who once shared a private world, symbolized by 'our place, our home place, my headspace,' which has now been 'phased' out. The imagery of a 'small trace, a blank slate' suggests that what was once a vivid and defining part of their lives is now fading away, leaving behind a sense of emptiness and loss.

The chorus of the song uses the metaphor of 'Babylon' to describe the relationship's grandeur and subsequent downfall. Historically, Babylon was a city of immense wealth and splendor that eventually fell into ruin. Similarly, the relationship in the song 'burned too bright,' reaching unsustainable heights, and now the couple must watch everything they built 'fall down.' This metaphor speaks to the universal experience of striving for greatness in love, only to find that sometimes such intensity can lead to destruction.

The song also touches on the difficulty of letting go, even when it's clear that the relationship is over. The repeated lines 'We said we'd both love higher than we knew we could go / But still the hardest part is knowing when to let go' reflect the struggle between the desire to hold on to the passion they once had and the realization that it's time to move on. The band captures the bittersweet acceptance that comes with this realization, as well as the lingering attachment that makes saying goodbye so challenging.