Not Dark Yet

Calum Scott's rendition of 'Not Dark Yet' is a haunting exploration of existential despair and the slow encroachment of darkness in one's life. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who feels trapped in a state of emotional and spiritual numbness. The opening lines, 'Shadows are falling, and I’ve been here all day / It’s too hot to sleep, and time is running away,' set the tone for a narrative steeped in weariness and a sense of impending doom. The metaphor of the soul turning into steel suggests a hardening or loss of sensitivity, while the scars that the sun didn’t heal imply lingering pain and unresolved trauma.

The refrain, 'It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there,' serves as a poignant reminder that while the ultimate darkness—perhaps death or complete emotional collapse—has not yet arrived, it is undeniably approaching. This line encapsulates the song's central theme of gradual decline and the inevitability of suffering. The mention of a kind letter that fails to elicit any emotional response further underscores the protagonist's deep-seated apathy and disconnection from the world around them.

As the song progresses, the lyrics delve into the protagonist's past experiences and travels, from London to Paris, and their realization that they are not seeking anything in anyone's eyes. This journey through a 'world full of lies' highlights a profound disillusionment with life and human relationships. The closing lines, 'I was born here, and I’ll die here, against my will / I know it looks like I’m moving, but I’m standing still,' encapsulate a sense of fatalism and stagnation. The repeated mention of numbness and the absence of even a murmur of a prayer suggest a complete loss of hope and spiritual desolation.

Calum Scott's emotive delivery adds an extra layer of depth to the song, making it a powerful meditation on the human condition and the slow, inevitable approach of darkness in our lives.