Normal

Porcupine Tree's song 'Normal' delves into the existential crisis and the superficiality of modern life. The opening lines, 'Here is my car, my phone and my TV / I've got it all but you can see through me,' immediately set the tone for a critique of materialism. Despite possessing all the trappings of success, the narrator feels transparent and insubstantial, questioning their own existence with the line, 'But am I here? It's kind of hard to tell.' This suggests a deep sense of disconnection and a struggle to find genuine identity in a world obsessed with appearances.

The recurring theme of disillusionment is further explored through the portrayal of youth. 'Sullen and bored the kids stay / And in this way they wish away each day' paints a picture of a generation numbed by monotony and escapism. The mention of 'stoned in the mall' highlights a culture of consumerism and substance abuse as coping mechanisms. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the cyclical nature of this discontent, suggesting that the younger generation is trapped in a loop of unfulfilling routines.

The song also touches on the use of prescription drugs and legal constraints as means of maintaining a facade of normalcy. 'Prescription drugs they help me through the day / And that restraining order keeps me well at bay' indicates a reliance on external measures to manage internal turmoil. The rhetorical question, 'But what's normal now anyway?' challenges the very concept of normalcy, implying that societal standards are arbitrary and often detrimental. The closing lines, 'Wish I was old and a little sentimental / You gotta see the waves / Not the wine bottle at the way is now,' suggest a longing for a simpler, more meaningful existence, urging listeners to look beyond superficial distractions and find deeper connections.