Breathing Underwater

Metric's 'Breathing Underwater' delves into the complexities of identity and the struggle to find one's place in a world that often feels alien. The song opens with a series of metaphors, comparing the singer to a blade and a weight, while the other person is likened to a knife and a kite. These contrasting images suggest a relationship dynamic where one person feels grounded and heavy, while the other is light and free. The recurring line, 'We were breathing underwater,' evokes a sense of being out of place, struggling to survive in an environment that is not naturally suited for them.

The lyrics also touch on the disillusionment that comes with meeting one's heroes. The line, 'We should never meet our heroes,' implies that the reality of these figures often falls short of our expectations. This theme is further explored with the imagery of bowing at their feet, only to realize that the hero was not who they imagined. This disillusionment adds to the feeling of being lost and questioning one's life choices, as reflected in the repeated question, 'Is this my life? Am I breathing underwater?'

The song's bridge introduces a sense of foreboding with the lines, 'Nights are days, we beat a path through the mirrored maze.' This suggests a journey through confusion and reflection, where the end is visible but not yet reached. The mirrored maze could symbolize the introspective journey of understanding oneself and one's place in the world. The repetition of 'I can see the end, but it hasn't happened yet' underscores the ongoing struggle and the hope for eventual clarity. Metric's 'Breathing Underwater' is a poignant exploration of existential angst, identity, and the search for meaning in a disorienting world.