Law Of Life

John Norum's song 'Law Of Life' delves into the complexities of emotional struggle and the inevitable passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone grappling with the pain of separation and the longing for connection. The opening lines, 'When the tears are enough / And so I have been away,' set the tone for a narrative steeped in melancholy and introspection. The protagonist is caught between the past and the present, haunted by memories that make it difficult to move forward.

The chorus, 'Never count on a tiger, / Never play with the fire / Don't remind me of home,' serves as a cautionary mantra. It suggests that certain risks and reminders of the past can be too painful to bear. The imagery of a tiger and fire symbolizes danger and unpredictability, reinforcing the idea that some aspects of life are best left untouched. The protagonist's journey 'out in the west' and the act of 'writing letters of love' signify a quest for meaning and connection, even in the face of adversity.

The song also explores the theme of unfulfilled desires and the passage of time. Lines like 'I've been filled up with hunger / For a mail to be mine' and 'I've been building a house too / Like I've been building desire' highlight the protagonist's yearning for something more. The use of metaphors such as building a house to represent building desire adds depth to the emotional landscape. The closing lines, 'Sometimes words are despiteful / And sometimes they are blind / But my longing is frightful, / I'm screaming time after time,' encapsulate the raw, unfiltered emotion that permeates the song. The 'law of life' here seems to be the acceptance of these emotional highs and lows as an intrinsic part of the human experience.