High

Miley Cyrus's song 'High' delves into the complex emotions that linger after the end of a relationship. The lyrics express a sense of confusion and pain that comes from trying to move on, yet still feeling emotionally connected to a past lover. The song's protagonist grapples with memories and feelings that are difficult to shake off, akin to a lingering high that won't subside. The metaphor of feeling 'high' suggests an intoxicating and possibly addictive connection to the person they're trying to forget, indicating that emotional ties aren't easily severed.

The imagery used in the song, such as 'neon light' and 'rolling stone', paints the former lover as someone vibrant and transient, leaving a trail of emotional upheaval. The neon light that shines through a door that can't be kept closed symbolizes the persistent presence of the past lover in the protagonist's thoughts, despite efforts to shut them out. The rolling stone building cities on broken hearts evokes a sense of continuous movement and destruction, hinting at a pattern of leaving emotional chaos in their wake.

The song's chorus captures the internal struggle of the protagonist as they assert that they've done their best to say goodbye and claim not to miss the person, yet they can't explain why thoughts of them still trigger such a potent emotional response. This contradiction highlights the difficulty of emotional detachment and the complexity of human emotions when it comes to love and loss. 'High' is a poignant reflection on the enduring impact of relationships and the challenge of finding closure.