Black And Gold

Katy Perry's 'Black And Gold' delves into themes of existentialism and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. The song opens with vivid imagery of evolutionary milestones, such as fish growing legs and apes learning to talk, setting the stage for a contemplation of human existence. These lines suggest a journey from the primordial to the conscious, highlighting the complexity and wonder of life. However, this wonder is juxtaposed with a sense of cosmic insignificance, as the stars fall from the sky and tears merge with the ocean, symbolizing a loss of direction and purpose.

The chorus reveals the core of the song's emotional weight: the fear of meaninglessness in the absence of a significant other. Perry sings, 'If you're not really here, then the stars don't even matter,' expressing a profound dependency on the presence of a loved one to give life its meaning. This dependency is further emphasized by the repetition of 'Black and gold,' colors that often symbolize the duality of life—light and darkness, hope and despair. The fear of everything being 'just a bunch of matter' without this person underscores a deep existential dread.

In the second verse, Perry looks up at the sky, seeing 'a thousand eyes staring back,' which could represent the vast, impersonal universe. The golden beacons surrounded by blackness symbolize fleeting moments of hope in an otherwise dark existence. The line 'If vision is the only validation, then most of my life isn't real' questions the reliability of sensory perception and the nature of reality itself. This philosophical musing adds depth to the song, making it not just a love song but a reflection on the human condition and the search for meaning in a vast, often indifferent cosmos.