Not About Angels
Birdy
The Ethereal Question of Love and Loss in Birdy's 'Not About Angels'
Birdy's 'Not About Angels' is a hauntingly beautiful song that delves into the themes of love, sacrifice, and the ephemeral nature of life. The lyrics suggest a contemplation of the preciousness of time and the difficult choices one must make when faced with love that seems both overwhelmingly real and yet somehow out of reach. The song poses a poignant question: if one's heart is full of love, is it right to let that love go, especially when it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime connection?
The repeated references to angels in the song evoke a sense of something divine and otherworldly, suggesting that the love being sung about is rare and precious, akin to an encounter with angels. The angels 'will come, they will go,' implying that such profound experiences are fleeting, and their rarity is what makes us special. The plea 'Don't give me up' resonates as a call to hold on to the love and connection that give life its depth and meaning, despite the knowledge that nothing lasts forever.
The song's title, 'Not About Angels,' ultimately suggests that while the experience of love can be transcendent and angelic, the song is more grounded in the human experience of grappling with love's complexities. It's about the choices we make, the sacrifices we face, and the bittersweet realization that some things, even those that elevate us, are not meant to stay. Birdy's evocative voice and the minimalist arrangement of the song amplify its emotional impact, making it a poignant reflection on the beauty and pain of human connection.