Shallow

Porcupine Tree's song 'Shallow' delves into themes of isolation, emotional detachment, and the superficiality of modern life. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who feels disconnected from the world around them, struggling with past traumas and the emptiness of their current existence. The opening lines, 'I don't remember / Did something in my past create a hole?' suggest a deep-seated pain or loss that the narrator can't fully recall or understand, hinting at unresolved issues that continue to haunt them.

The chorus, with its repeated use of the word 'shallow,' underscores the superficial nature of the interactions and emotions the narrator experiences. The imagery of 'scissors cutting out your anger' and 'bite your tongue, ignore the splinter' conveys a sense of suppression and avoidance, as if the narrator is trying to numb themselves to the pain and anger they feel. This could be interpreted as a critique of how society often encourages people to hide their true feelings and put on a facade of normalcy.

The verses further explore the narrator's sense of alienation, particularly in the lines 'This city drains me / Well maybe it's the smell of gasoline / The millions pain me / It's easier to talk to my pc.' Here, the city represents the overwhelming and impersonal nature of urban life, where the sheer number of people only amplifies the narrator's loneliness. The preference for communicating with a computer rather than real people highlights the increasing reliance on technology as a substitute for genuine human connection. Overall, 'Shallow' is a poignant reflection on the struggles of maintaining one's identity and emotional well-being in a world that often feels cold and indifferent.