Teardrop

Massive Attack's 'Teardrop' is a song that intertwines themes of love, vulnerability, and the profound depths of human emotion. The lyrics, 'Love, love is a verb / Love is a doing word,' immediately establish love as an action, something that is experienced through deeds and not just feelings. This sets the tone for a song that explores the weight and impact of love's presence and absence.

The recurring phrase 'Fearless on my breath' suggests a mantra of courage, perhaps in the face of love's challenges or the pain it can bring. The imagery of a 'Teardrop on the fire' evokes a sense of fragility and the ephemeral nature of emotions, as a teardrop would quickly evaporate upon touching flames. This could symbolize the delicate balance between the warmth of love and the potential for hurt that comes with opening oneself up to another person.

The verses 'Night, night of matter / Black flowers blossom' and 'Water is my eye / Most faithful mirror' delve into the introspective and sometimes dark journey of self-discovery that often accompanies deep emotional experiences. The song's ethereal and haunting melody, combined with these introspective lyrics, creates a sense of introspection and the search for truth within oneself. The closing line, 'You're stumbling a little,' might imply that even in our most profound moments of clarity, we remain imperfect and human, still prone to uncertainty and mistakes.