Splendor
M83
The Ephemeral Beauty of Life in M83's 'Splendor'
M83's 'Splendor' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of the transient nature of life and the emotions that accompany it. The song opens with a poignant question, 'What have we to show?' This line sets the tone for a reflective journey, pondering the outcomes of our lives and the often barren feelings that accompany our existence. The imagery of 'dust for crow' evokes a sense of desolation and emptiness, suggesting that our efforts and emotions may ultimately be fleeting and insubstantial.
The lyrics continue to delve into the uncertainty of life with the line, 'We can't even know when it's time to go.' This speaks to the unpredictability of our existence and the inevitability of death. The metaphor of 'glowing out along the river bend' paints a picture of life's end as a serene yet mysterious transition, emphasizing the natural and inevitable flow of time. The river bend could symbolize the twists and turns of life, leading us to an unknown destination.
Despite the melancholic undertones, the song offers a glimmer of hope and continuity with the line, 'It's not goodbye my only friend.' This suggests that even in the face of endings, there is a sense of enduring connection and the possibility of new beginnings. The final line, 'Yesterday started over again,' reinforces this idea, implying that life is cyclical and that each ending is also a new beginning. M83's 'Splendor' masterfully captures the bittersweet essence of life's impermanence, blending introspection with a sense of eternal recurrence.