Franklin

Paramore's song 'Franklin' delves into the themes of nostalgia, change, and the longing for a past that can never be fully reclaimed. The lyrics reflect a deep sense of displacement and yearning for a time when life felt more authentic and vibrant. The town of Franklin, which the song is named after, symbolizes a place of comfort and familiarity, a stark contrast to the current state of the narrator's life where everything feels foreign and disconnected.

The repeated line 'Everything has changed' underscores the inevitability of change and the difficulty of reconciling with it. The narrator reminisces about a time when they felt 'so alive,' suggesting that the past holds a sense of vitality and purpose that the present lacks. This longing is not just for a place but for a state of being, a time when relationships and surroundings felt more meaningful and real. The song captures the universal human experience of looking back at a simpler, happier time and feeling a sense of loss for what once was.

The lyrics also touch on the struggle to adapt to new circumstances. The narrator admits, 'I won't get used to this, I won't get used to being gone,' highlighting the resistance to accepting the present reality. The repetition of 'taking up our time' suggests that the preoccupation with the past is consuming and prevents moving forward. Despite the desire to return to Franklin, the realization that 'we can't go back at all' is a poignant acknowledgment of the irreversible nature of time and change. This song resonates with anyone who has ever felt out of place in their own life and yearned for the comfort of the past.