Forever Now

The Psychedelic Furs' song 'Forever Now' offers a poignant critique of modern society, encapsulating themes of disillusionment, corruption, and the cyclical nature of human behavior. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where individuals are trapped in repetitive, meaningless routines, symbolized by characters like the banker, the president, and the policeman. These figures represent the pillars of society—finance, politics, and law enforcement—each depicted as corrupt or disingenuous. The banker, counting in his head and lying on your bed, symbolizes the pervasive greed and dishonesty in the financial sector. President Gas, a metaphor for political leaders, is described as a thief who is at least obvious in his dishonesty, highlighting the blatant corruption in politics.

The recurring line, 'you and I are walking past yeah, having lost our way,' suggests a sense of collective disorientation and aimlessness. The protagonists of the song, representing ordinary people, are depicted as having lost their direction and purpose. They don't count their money or paper, instead, they give it away, symbolizing a rejection of materialism and a search for deeper meaning. This act of giving away what is typically valued in society underscores a desire to break free from the constraints of a corrupt system and find a more authentic way of living.

The song also touches on the theme of repetition and the futility of change. The line 'doesn't this remind you of these things we've done before' suggests a cyclical pattern of behavior, where society continually repeats the same mistakes. The characters in the song go through their daily routines, described as a pantomime, indicating that their actions are performative and lack genuine substance. The plea to 'let it stay forever now' can be interpreted as a desire to preserve a moment of clarity or truth amidst the chaos, a fleeting glimpse of authenticity in an otherwise superficial world.