Inflatable

Bush's song 'Inflatable' delves into the complexities and vulnerabilities inherent in love and self-identity. The opening lines, 'Let it slide overhead / When I believe in you my soul can rest,' suggest a sense of surrender and trust in a relationship. However, this trust is juxtaposed with the acknowledgment that love, while powerful, is also prone to failure: 'But our love is really love / It never fails but fail it does.' This paradox highlights the fragile nature of romantic relationships, where the ideal of unwavering love often clashes with reality.

The recurring imagery of the beloved being 'pretty in white, pretty when you're faithful' evokes purity and loyalty, yet it also hints at the pressure to maintain these ideals. The narrator's resignation from themselves, 'I resigned from myself / Took a break for someone else,' indicates a loss of personal identity in the pursuit of love. This self-sacrifice is further emphasized by the metaphor of becoming 'inflatable,' suggesting a sense of being hollow or easily manipulated to fit the needs of the other person. The line 'It's like I come undone / And I've only just become inflatable for you' poignantly captures the feeling of losing oneself in the process of trying to please a partner.

The song also touches on the internal conflict and emotional strain within the relationship. The narrator admits, 'I don't mind most of the time / But you push me so far inside,' revealing a struggle to maintain their sense of self while being deeply affected by their partner's actions. This tension between love and self-preservation is a central theme in 'Inflatable,' making it a poignant exploration of the sacrifices and emotional turmoil that often accompany intimate relationships.