Object Permanence

Arm's Length's song 'Object Permanence' delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the struggle to hold onto memories and relationships. The term 'object permanence' itself is a psychological concept referring to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen. In the context of the song, it symbolizes the narrator's awareness of a loved one's absence and the emotional turmoil that follows. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and the difficulty of moving on, as the narrator is 'too proud to prove you could pick up where I left, so you just start again.' This line suggests a painful realization that the relationship cannot simply resume from where it ended, highlighting the challenges of reconciling with the past.

The chorus, with its plea for the loved one to 'come back home' and 'end all of my dog-whistling,' underscores the narrator's desperation and the haunting nature of their dreams. The imagery of being dragged by the feet and the fear of 'getting scared' reflects a deep-seated anxiety and a sense of helplessness. The metaphor of being a 'baby bird' catching every word breathed into a lifeless body washed ashore poignantly captures the narrator's dependence on the loved one for emotional sustenance and the fragile nature of their existence without them.

As the song progresses, the narrator grapples with the inevitability of letting go, as seen in the lines 'You're getting good at letting go at your own pace, I think I'll hold on until my fingers slip away.' This juxtaposition of acceptance and resistance illustrates the internal conflict of wanting to hold onto the past while recognizing the need to move forward. The closing lines, 'I'll stare at the sky until I catch it blink, I will see the good in everything,' offer a glimmer of hope and resilience, suggesting that despite the pain, the narrator is determined to find positivity and meaning in their experiences.