Plant Life

Owl City's 'Plant Life' is a whimsical and introspective song that delves into themes of loneliness, longing, and the desire for renewal. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a haunted house filled with ghostly apparitions and surreal imagery, such as silverware swimming with sharks and bats flowing like traffic. These fantastical elements serve as metaphors for the singer's feelings of isolation and stagnation, as he navigates through a life that feels devoid of vitality and connection.

The recurring motif of plant life symbolizes growth, renewal, and the hope for a more vibrant existence. The singer expresses a deep yearning for daisies to push through the floor and for plant life to grow all around him, signifying his desire to break free from the metaphorical 'haunted house' of his current state. This longing for nature and life to envelop him reflects a universal human desire to feel alive and connected to the world around us. The imagery of waltzing through the forest, with trees keeping tempo and crickets chiming in, further emphasizes the beauty and harmony that the singer seeks in his life.

The song also touches on themes of friendship and emotional connection. The singer's plea for a ghost to 'give me a ghost of a smile' and 'show me your teeth' highlights his need for companionship and understanding. The metaphor of plucking on heartstrings and asking if the other would strum on his suggests a desire for mutual emotional resonance and support. By the end of the song, the singer declares his intention to break free from the haunted house and the spider webs that symbolize his previous state of fear and inertia. This declaration signifies a newfound courage and a readiness to embrace life and its possibilities, leaving behind the feelings of being 'dead' and isolated.