Meydei
Idles
The Desperation and Defiance in Idles' 'Meydei'
Idles' song 'Meydei' is a raw and intense exploration of fear, cultural appropriation, and the struggle for authenticity. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person grappling with deep-seated anxieties and the feeling of being overwhelmed by external forces. The repeated phrase 'What a fear' underscores the pervasive sense of dread that permeates the song, suggesting a constant battle against internal and external pressures.
The song also delves into themes of cultural appropriation and identity. Lines like 'I love it how you love me so / Then you come and take my culture and go' highlight the frustration and anger of having one's culture commodified and stripped of its true meaning. This sentiment is further emphasized by the refusal to share knowledge with those who would exploit it: 'I'll never tell you what I know.' This defiance is a powerful statement against the erasure and exploitation of cultural identity.
The repeated cries of 'Hey, mayday / You wanna save me, save me?' evoke a sense of desperation and a plea for rescue, yet there's an underlying tone of skepticism about whether salvation is truly possible. The imagery of falling into the ocean and dancing in eternal darkness suggests a feeling of being lost and consumed by one's fears. The song's conclusion, with its repeated assertion that the subject will never find their 'powerful roar,' speaks to a struggle for empowerment and the difficulty of reclaiming one's voice in the face of overwhelming adversity.