Durban Skies

Bastille's song "Durban Skies" is a heartfelt exploration of heritage, memory, and the deep connections that bind us to our past. The lyrics reflect a journey of rediscovery, where the narrator revisits the streets and scenes of Durban, a city in South Africa, through the eyes of someone significant, possibly a parent or grandparent. This perspective allows the narrator to gain a profound understanding of their family's history and the lives lived before them.

The recurring line, "All that I've got to be thankful for," underscores a sense of gratitude and reverence for the past. The song paints vivid pictures of significant moments, such as wedding vows taken under pouring rain, and the youthful days of the seventies, marked by sepia-toned memories. These images evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing to connect with the roots that shaped the present.

The chorus, with its repetition of "It's alive, it's alive," emphasizes the vibrancy and life that the narrator perceives when viewing the city through the eyes of their guide. This phrase suggests that the past is not just a series of static memories but a living, breathing part of their identity. The act of driving through the city beneath the Durban skies becomes a metaphor for this journey of understanding and appreciation, as the narrator sees the city anew and gains insight into the lives that came before them.

"Durban Skies" is a beautiful tribute to the power of memory and the importance of understanding one's heritage. It speaks to the universal experience of seeking connection with our origins and finding gratitude in the stories that shape us.