Everest

Public Service Broadcasting's song 'Everest' delves into the human fascination with the highest peak on Earth, Mount Everest. The lyrics begin by recounting the historical discovery of Everest, originally known as Peak 15, and its subsequent recognition as the tallest mountain in the world. This sets the stage for the central theme of the song: the allure and challenge of conquering the unknown. The mountain, described as an 'unknown quantity,' symbolizes the ultimate test of human endurance and spirit, something that was initially beyond human comprehension and capability.

The song then shifts focus to the climbers themselves, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of the endeavor. Climbing Everest is portrayed as a holistic experience that engages not just the physical body but also the mind and soul. The repeated phrase 'up and up' underscores the relentless upward journey, both physically and metaphorically. The climbers are depicted as small figures against the vast, cold, and white expanse of the mountain, highlighting the enormity of the challenge and the insignificance of man in the face of nature's grandeur.

As the climbers ascend, the lyrics describe the thinning air and the dream-like state induced by the lack of oxygen. This surreal experience is both debilitating and delusional, adding another layer of complexity to the climb. The song culminates with the famous question, 'Why should a man climb Everest?' and its equally famous answer, 'Because it is there.' This succinctly captures the essence of human curiosity and the innate desire to conquer the unknown, driven by the sheer existence of the challenge itself.