Phases

Keane's song "Phases" delves into the transient nature of life and the inevitable changes that come with it. The opening lines, "A plan is a work of art / A house built to fall apart," suggest that despite our best efforts to create something lasting and meaningful, everything is subject to change and decay. This sets the tone for the song's exploration of life's impermanence and the continuous search for answers that often leads to more questions.

The chorus, with its repetition of "Phases, the motion of our lives / Ages, the rote of changes," emphasizes the cyclical nature of existence. The metaphor of ink erasing before it dries on pages illustrates how quickly moments can pass and how fleeting our experiences can be. This imagery captures the essence of life's unpredictability and the constant evolution we undergo as individuals.

In the verses, the lyrics touch on the struggle to find meaning and stability. Lines like "Always on the outside / Fingers clinging on so tight / Kicking at the window / Dreaming of a better life" convey a sense of longing and the relentless pursuit of something better. Despite the challenges and the feeling of being on the periphery, the song encourages resilience and the importance of salvaging what we can to build a better future.

The song concludes with a sense of acceptance and hope. The lines "And sometimes you feel how good it is / And low tide gives way to high tide / And hard times, we watch them come and go / Like crazies" suggest that while life is full of ups and downs, these phases are temporary. The acknowledgment that hard times will pass and good times will come again offers a comforting perspective on the ever-changing nature of life.