The Great Escape

Boys Like Girls' song 'The Great Escape' is a powerful anthem of liberation and youthful rebellion. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two individuals ready to leave behind their past and embrace a new beginning. The imagery of 'paper bags and plastic hearts' and 'all our belongings into shopping carts' suggests a sense of impermanence and the desire to escape from a mundane or oppressive situation. The song captures the essence of seizing the moment, as the protagonists decide to make the most of their last night together by getting drunk, riding around, and making peace with their surroundings.

The chorus, 'Throw it away, forget yesterday, we'll make the great escape,' serves as a rallying cry for letting go of past burdens and societal expectations. The repeated line, 'They don't know us anyway,' emphasizes the disconnect between the protagonists and the outside world, highlighting their determination to define their own path. The act of watching things burn and letting them die symbolizes the finality of their decision to break free and start anew.

The song also touches on the theme of youthful exuberance and the feeling of invincibility that comes with it. Lines like 'We'll scream loud at the top of our lungs, and they'll think it's just cause we're young' capture the raw energy and defiance of youth. The protagonists are aware that their actions might be dismissed as youthful recklessness, but they embrace it wholeheartedly, finding freedom and a sense of purpose in their rebellion. 'The Great Escape' ultimately celebrates the courage to leave behind the past, embrace the present, and create a future on one's own terms.