Tides (feat. Jamila Woods)

In 'Tides,' Bonobo and Jamila Woods craft a hauntingly beautiful exploration of emotional turbulence and the transient nature of relationships. The song opens with the metaphor of 'cloud people,' suggesting individuals who live in a state of emotional ambiguity and impermanence. The imagery of clouds and rain symbolizes the release of pent-up emotions and the inevitable cycles of change. The line 'We hold our freedom like a blade' poignantly captures the double-edged nature of independence, where freedom can both liberate and isolate.

The recurring refrain 'We won't be dry soon, here come the tides' serves as a powerful metaphor for the overwhelming waves of emotions that are impossible to escape. The tides represent the ebb and flow of feelings, suggesting that emotional highs and lows are a natural part of life. The line 'You move when I do, you'll never be mine' underscores the elusive nature of connection, where synchrony in actions does not necessarily translate to emotional unity. This highlights the theme of unrequited love or a relationship that can never fully materialize.

Jamila Woods' verse delves deeper into the personal struggle of dealing with these emotional tides. Lines like 'I'm not supposed to feel, I'm not supposed to miss' reflect societal expectations to suppress emotions, while 'How am I supposed to heal?' questions the feasibility of emotional recovery in such a constrained environment. The poignant admission 'I let you get away, I held the ocean in' encapsulates the internal conflict of holding onto emotions while letting go of a significant relationship. The song concludes with a reiteration of the chorus, emphasizing the cyclical nature of emotional experiences and the acceptance of their inevitability.