Over The Love
Florence + The Machine
The Haunting Echoes of Unrequited Love
Florence + The Machine's song "Over The Love" is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who has been deeply affected by a past relationship, one that continues to haunt them. The recurring imagery of the yellow dress and the piano symbolizes innocence and vulnerability, while the act of tearing the dress and crying signifies the pain and heartbreak that the protagonist endures.
The green light mentioned in the song is a powerful metaphor, likely referencing F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," where the green light symbolizes unattainable dreams and desires. In this context, the green light in the protagonist's eyes represents the lingering hope and longing for a love that remains out of reach. The repeated mention of crying over the love of the person indicates a deep, unresolved emotional attachment that the protagonist struggles to move past.
The song also touches on themes of escapism and the desire to forget painful memories. The lines "Turn off all the lights, let the morning come" suggest a wish to erase the past and start anew. However, the protagonist acknowledges the difficulty of saving a "hard soul" with an "ocean in the way," indicating the insurmountable obstacles that stand between them and their lover. Despite these challenges, there is a sense of determination to overcome the emotional distance, as expressed in the lines "But I'll get around it." Ultimately, "Over The Love" captures the essence of longing, heartache, and the enduring impact of a love that cannot be forgotten.