4+20

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's song '4+20' delves deep into themes of existential despair, loneliness, and the cyclical nature of poverty. The song begins with a reflection on the narrator's birth, set against the backdrop of a life marked by strife and hardship. The mention of '4+20 years ago' suggests a significant passage of time, indicating that the narrator is now 24 years old and grappling with the same struggles that plagued his parents. The line 'He was tired of being poor' highlights the generational cycle of poverty and the relentless effort to escape it, only to find oneself trapped in a different kind of poverty—one that affects the soul rather than the wallet.

As the song progresses, the narrator's internal turmoil becomes more apparent. Sleepless nights and a sense of profound loneliness dominate his thoughts. The questions 'Why am I so alone?' and 'Where is my woman can I bring her home?' reveal a deep yearning for connection and companionship, suggesting that the narrator's isolation is both physical and emotional. The uncertainty about whether he has driven his woman away adds a layer of self-doubt and regret, further intensifying his sense of despair.

The final verse paints a vivid picture of the narrator's mental state as he faces the dawn. The empty bed symbolizes his loneliness, while the 'devils in my head' represent his inner demons and torment. The 'many colored beast' he embraces could be interpreted as a metaphor for the various vices or coping mechanisms he turns to in an attempt to find solace. Ultimately, the narrator's weariness and longing for peace culminate in a haunting wish for his life to simply cease, underscoring the depth of his existential crisis and the overwhelming nature of his suffering.