Change
Joy
The Unyielding Struggle for Change in Love
Joy's song "Change" delves into the emotional turmoil and frustration that comes with unreciprocated love and the longing for change that never seems to come. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone grappling with their feelings, caught in a cycle of hope and disappointment. The opening lines, "That look on me's everlasting / These books I read don’t have the answers I need," suggest a sense of permanence in their emotional state and a search for solutions that remain elusive. This sets the stage for a narrative of introspection and unfulfilled desires.
The recurring theme of waiting is central to the song, as evidenced by the repeated lines, "And still I'm waiting, I'm waiting, I'm waiting / But you never came." This repetition underscores the protagonist's persistent hope and the painful reality of their situation. The acknowledgment of their own role in this cycle, "Oh the shame, oh the shame, I'm the only one / I've got to blame," adds a layer of self-awareness and regret. The protagonist recognizes their own foolishness in clinging to a love that is unlikely to change, yet they are unable to break free from it.
The song also touches on the idea of unexpressed emotions and the futility of certain actions, as seen in the lines, "I wrote, I wrote a letter to you / I'll never send." This unspoken communication symbolizes the internal struggle and the realization that some things are better left unsaid. The overall tone of the song is one of melancholy and resignation, capturing the essence of a love that is both deeply felt and deeply flawed. Joy's poignant lyrics and emotive delivery make "Change" a powerful exploration of the complexities of love and the difficulty of letting go.