My Tunnels Are Long And Dark These Days

Asaf Avidan's song 'My Tunnels Are Long And Dark These Days' delves into the themes of fear, love, and the human condition through a series of vivid metaphors and introspective lyrics. The song opens with a reassurance to a friend, emphasizing that the only thing to fear is love itself. This sets the tone for a deeper exploration of emotional vulnerability and the complexities of human relationships.

Avidan uses the metaphor of moles to describe humans as creatures that are blind to the light, suggesting that we are more comfortable in the darkness, or perhaps more accustomed to it. This darkness can be interpreted as the unknown, the fears, and the emotional struggles that we face. The 'hungry crocodiles dancing in the light' symbolize those who seem to thrive in the superficial brightness of life, yet Avidan questions what lies beyond that facade, hinting at an underlying emptiness or darkness.

The song also touches on the idea of self-love and the pain associated with it. Avidan advises against trying to love oneself, describing it as the 'worst kind of pain.' This could be seen as a commentary on the difficulty of self-acceptance and the internal battles that come with it. The contrast between the 'up there' and 'down here' further emphasizes the divide between those who live in the light, perhaps in denial of their darkness, and those who embrace their true, albeit darker, nature. The song ultimately suggests that while the world above may try to keep the darkness at bay with superficial pleasures, the darkness is an inescapable part of the human experience.