23

Diamond Eyes' song '23' is a poignant exploration of grief, loss, and the journey towards healing. The lyrics recount the deeply personal experience of losing a best friend at the age of twenty-three, a time often associated with the cusp of adulthood and the forging of lifelong bonds. The song opens with the stark reality of the friend's death, described as leaving her body and hovering above the narrator, a metaphor for the lingering presence of the lost loved one. The absence of a shadow symbolizes the void left behind, while the search through buildings and homes reflects the desperate quest for solace and understanding in the wake of such a profound loss.

As the song progresses, the narrator describes feeling a glow and warmth inside, suggesting moments of comfort and the sense of the friend's spirit providing support. This duality of pain and comfort is a common theme in grief, where memories of the deceased can bring both sorrow and solace. The lyrics 'I felt like heaven, had found my bones' convey a sense of divine intervention or spiritual connection, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

The chorus emphasizes the narrator's determination to move forward despite the pain, encapsulated in the lines 'Through the pain I will go alone / If I fall, break my bones / I will scream even louder / 'Cause I'm not dying alone.' This resilience is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure and find strength in the face of overwhelming adversity. The repeated pleas to God in the latter part of the song underscore the depth of the narrator's anguish and the desperate need for the lost friend's presence, highlighting the enduring impact of such a significant loss.

'23' by Diamond Eyes is a powerful narrative of loss, resilience, and the complex emotions that accompany the grieving process. It captures the raw pain of losing a loved one and the arduous journey towards healing, resonating with anyone who has experienced similar heartache.