Sundowner

Fontaines D.C.'s 'Sundowner' is a haunting exploration of dreams, longing, and the inevitable sense of loss that accompanies them. The repetitive nature of the lyrics, particularly the phrase 'In my dreams,' underscores the cyclical and inescapable nature of the narrator's thoughts and emotions. The dreams are depicted as a space where the narrator confronts their deepest feelings, only to see them 'turn to nothing,' highlighting a sense of futility and transient hope.

The song delves into themes of sadness and belonging, with lines like 'A sadness in the soul' and 'I have not belonged to any setting Sun' suggesting a profound sense of disconnection and melancholy. The 'setting Sun' metaphorically represents the end of a journey or a phase in life, and the narrator's inability to belong to it signifies a struggle with finding one's place or purpose. This is further emphasized by the 'Destination Low,' indicating a sense of despair or a low point in the narrator's emotional journey.

The chorus, with its yearning for connection ('I just wanna hear you call') and the acknowledgment of waiting and longing ('Been waiting for a while'), adds a layer of emotional depth. The narrator's desire to 'feel it for a while' and the wish to 'keep it' reflect a craving for permanence in a world where everything seems fleeting. The song's melancholic tone is amplified by the recurring theme of dreams turning to nothing, encapsulating the ephemeral nature of hope and the inevitability of disappointment.

The final verse introduces a sense of resignation and acceptance, with the lines 'So you, who will contend with things until they end, will sleep another off and try to start again.' This suggests a cycle of trying, failing, and starting over, a universal human experience. The 'fascination lines down all your face and eyes' could be interpreted as the marks of time and experience, adding a poignant touch to the narrative. The song's conclusion, repeating 'In my dreams,' leaves the listener with a lingering sense of unresolved longing and introspection.