Underwater
MIKA
Love's Lifeline: MIKA's 'Underwater'
MIKA's song 'Underwater' is a poetic exploration of love's transformative power, using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey deep emotional experiences. The song opens with a dramatic scene of a 'blood red sky' and a 'slow landslide,' suggesting a world in turmoil or personal upheaval. This sets the stage for the central theme: the overwhelming and sometimes disorienting nature of love. The lyrics 'It's enough to lose your head / Disappear and not return again' capture the sense of being consumed by emotions so intense that they can make one feel lost or disconnected from reality.
The recurring motif of water and the ability to 'live underwater' serves as a powerful metaphor for the sustaining and life-giving force of love. When MIKA sings, 'All I need / Is the love you breathe / Put your lips on me and / I can live underwater,' he is expressing how love provides him with the strength and resilience to navigate life's challenges. The idea of living underwater, a place where humans typically cannot survive, underscores the extraordinary and almost magical quality of this love. It suggests that with the right person, one can endure and thrive in even the most inhospitable conditions.
The song also touches on themes of vulnerability and dependence, as seen in lines like 'Wearin' my heart on my sleeve' and 'You are the port of my call.' These phrases highlight the singer's openness and reliance on his partner for emotional support. The repeated affirmation 'Now I know you're amazing' reinforces the admiration and gratitude he feels. Ultimately, 'Underwater' is a celebration of love's ability to uplift and sustain, transforming even the most challenging circumstances into something beautiful and bearable.