Drifting

Night Tapes' song "Drifting" delves into the complexities of modern existence, challenging the ideals of romanticism and exploring themes of disillusionment and existential drift. The opening lines, "Romanticism must die," set the tone for a critique of idealized love and the mind's futile attempts to control it. The lyrics suggest that romanticism, with its lofty ideals and unattainable dreams, is impractical in the face of real-life complexities. This sentiment is reinforced by the repeated assertion that romanticism is "un-fucking-useful," highlighting a sense of frustration and disillusionment.

The song's imagery, such as "a blaze of desire" and "a cobalt sky," evokes a sense of longing and introspection. The narrator's journey to a "cobalt sky" symbolizes a departure from their previous self, a transformation driven by the realization that romantic ideals are no longer tenable. The recurring motif of a "wild shadow with a pale blue eye" suggests a haunting presence, perhaps representing the remnants of romanticism that still linger despite the narrator's efforts to move beyond it.

The chorus, with its rhetorical questions, "Ain't this the dream you wanted all along?" and the assertion that "most of us are just drifting," captures the essence of modern disillusionment. It questions the validity of long-held dreams and aspirations, suggesting that many people are merely drifting through life without a clear sense of purpose. The song also touches on themes of technological advancement and its impact on human existence, questioning whether technology can truly help us evade the natural laws of aging and decay. Ultimately, "Drifting" is a poignant reflection on the challenges of navigating a world where romantic ideals have lost their luster, and the search for meaning continues amidst the chaos.