To Belong

Daughter's song 'To Belong' delves into the complexities of personal freedom and the suffocating nature of certain relationships. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a relationship that feels more like a burden than a source of comfort. The opening lines, 'Don't you think you'll be better off / Without me tied around your neck,' suggest a sense of entrapment and the desire to break free from a relationship that is dragging both parties down. The metaphor of being pulled underwater where one can't breathe further emphasizes the feeling of suffocation and the urgent need for liberation.

The song also touches on the theme of superficial connections and the emptiness that can come from them. Lines like 'Waiting to see someone we won't know for long / In cities we'll only leave' highlight the transient nature of modern relationships and the lack of deep, meaningful connections. This transient lifestyle is portrayed as unfulfilling, leading to a sense of loneliness and disconnection. The repetition of 'I don't want to belong' serves as a powerful declaration of the desire for independence and self-sufficiency, rejecting the societal pressures to conform to traditional relationship norms.

Furthermore, the song explores the pressure to perform and meet expectations, both in personal relationships and in social settings. The imagery of 'a room of faces / Waiting to hear some strange women speak in tongues' evokes a sense of alienation and the performative aspects of social interactions. The phrase 'loveless drunk' encapsulates the emotional void and the futile attempts to fill it with temporary pleasures. Overall, 'To Belong' is a poignant reflection on the struggle for personal freedom, the superficiality of modern relationships, and the societal pressures that can stifle individuality.