Believe

Elton John's song 'Believe' is a powerful anthem that speaks to the enduring and essential nature of love in a world rife with conflict and division. The lyrics convey a message of love's transcendence over the many negative forces that plague human existence, such as war, disease, and political strife. The repetition of the phrase 'I believe in love' serves as a mantra, reinforcing the idea that love is the most fundamental and unifying human experience.

The song contrasts the purity and simplicity of love with the complexity and destructiveness of human-made problems. Elton John sings about how love has 'no boundaries' and 'costs nothing to touch,' suggesting that love is an innate and free force that can cross any divide. In contrast, he mentions how 'war makes money' and 'cancer sleeps,' implying that even the most devastating aspects of life, like illness and conflict, are part of a larger, often profit-driven system. The reference to 'father and son make love and guns' is particularly poignant, highlighting the duality of human nature and the choices we make between creation and destruction.

The song's bridge, where Elton John reflects on the absence of love, underscores the bleakness of a life without this central emotion. He suggests that without love, there would be no passion or conviction, no reason to believe in others or oneself. The song ultimately serves as a reminder of the transformative power of love and its ability to bring meaning and purpose to our lives, even amidst the darkest of times.