Garden Life

Luke Hemmings' song 'Garden Life' delves into the complex emotions of dependency, loss, and introspection, wrapped in a metaphorical landscape. The lyrics open with a stark contrast between the speaker and the subject, likened to a pillow in a dark room, suggesting a relationship where one provides comfort and the other, an enveloping gloom. This sets the tone for a narrative that explores the deep emotional imprints left by intimate relationships.

The recurring imagery of a garden and a weeping willow symbolizes growth and sadness intertwined. The weeping willow, often associated with mourning, represents the subject of the song, while the speaker compares themselves to alcohol, indicating a toxic yet seductive influence that pervades the subject's life. This metaphor extends to the effects of alcohol, which can both soothe and devastate, mirroring the dual nature of their relationship. The question 'What comes after me?' repeated throughout the song, underscores a haunting uncertainty about the future and the consequences of their intertwined lives.

The song also touches on broader themes of existential angst and the search for meaning, as seen in lines like 'Turn off the evening news' and 'The train is leaving/Won't wait for you.' These lyrics suggest a desire to escape from the overwhelming realities of the world and a poignant acknowledgment of life's relentless forward march. Hemmings uses the personal narrative to reflect on larger human conditions, making 'Garden Life' a reflective piece on the impacts of our closest relationships and the inevitable changes they undergo.