Wish That You Were Here

Florence + The Machine Florence + The Machine

The Longing for Presence in 'Wish That You Were Here'

Florence + The Machine's song 'Wish That You Were Here' is a poignant expression of longing and the emotional weight of absence. The lyrics convey a deep sense of yearning for someone who is not physically present, but whose influence and memory persistently linger in the mind of the narrator. The opening lines set the tone for the song, as the narrator acknowledges the inescapable presence of feelings that 'travel too,' suggesting that emotions are not bound by physical distance.

The chorus reveals a shift in the narrator's disposition, from independence to vulnerability. The admission 'I never minded being on my own' contrasts sharply with 'Then something broke in me / And I wanted to go home,' indicating a profound change in the narrator's emotional state. The desire to be 'even closer' to the absent person underscores the intensity of the longing, while the repeated line 'You seem so very far' amplifies the sense of distance and separation. The imagery of the Pacific wind carrying the narrator's song to the absent person is a metaphor for the hope that their feelings will bridge the gap between them.

The song also touches on themes of protection and the search for something to believe in, as mentioned in the lines 'We all need something watching over us.' This could be interpreted as a search for comfort in the face of loneliness and the overwhelming nature of emotions. The sea's sweeping in and leaving everyone 'speechless' could symbolize the power of nature and life's events to render human efforts and desires insignificant. Overall, 'Wish That You Were Here' is a heartfelt ode to the enduring nature of love and the human desire for connection, despite the challenges of distance and change.

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