Romance is Boring

Los Campesinos!'s song 'Romance is Boring' delves into the disillusionment and monotony that can creep into romantic relationships. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a couple who have grown complacent and self-involved, struggling to find excitement and meaning in their relationship. The opening lines, 'Darling, I'm with St. Bernards / And we're scouring the Alps and the Andes,' set a surreal and almost desperate tone, suggesting a search for something lost or unattainable. The imagery of following paw prints in the snow to a throne or bed hints at a quest for intimacy and connection that remains unfulfilled.

The chorus, 'You're pouting in your sleep, I'm waking still yawning / We're proving to each other that romance is boring,' captures the essence of the song. It reflects the mundane reality of their relationship, where even their subconscious actions—pouting and yawning—highlight their dissatisfaction. The repetition of this line underscores the cyclical nature of their discontent. The lyrics also suggest a sense of resignation, as the narrator acknowledges that there are things they could do to reignite the spark, but they are only 'half prepared' to make the effort.

The song further explores the theme of disconnection with lines like 'We are two ships that pass in the night / You and I, we are nothing alike.' This metaphor emphasizes the emotional distance between the couple, portraying them as fundamentally different and unable to truly connect. The contrast between a 'pleasure cruise' and a 'direct to trawl' highlights their divergent expectations and experiences of the relationship. Ultimately, 'Romance is Boring' is a poignant reflection on the challenges of maintaining passion and intimacy in a relationship that has become routine and uninspired.