The New Thing Dies
Ray Bull
Embracing Change or Clinging to the Past?
Ray Bull's song "The New Thing Dies" delves into the struggle between accepting change and clinging to the past. The lyrics express a sense of confusion and reluctance to move forward, as the speaker grapples with the reality that things may not change despite their desire for it. The opening lines, "I don't know where to start / I don't know what to say," set the tone for a narrative filled with uncertainty and a search for direction.
The chorus, "Because I refuse to believe / That things are gonna change / When things have stayed the same," reveals a deep skepticism and perhaps a fear of disappointment. The repetition of these lines throughout the song underscores the internal conflict faced by the speaker. The mention of "so many years," "complications," and "tears" suggests a history of struggles and a weariness that comes with facing the same issues repeatedly without resolution.
The song's title, "The New Thing Dies," metaphorically represents the death of novelty and the return to the familiar. The lyrics, "There's something new to find / I'm gonna shut my eyes / Lay down until the new thing dies," imply a conscious decision to ignore the potential for change and instead retreat to the comfort of the known, even if it's no longer fulfilling. This sentiment is echoed in the closing lines, where the speaker chooses to "shut down until it goes away," indicating a preference for the status quo over the uncertainty of new beginnings.