Had To Hear

Real Estate's song 'Had To Hear' delves into themes of longing, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who feels isolated and disconnected, as evidenced by the repeated imagery of being 'out again on my own' and seeing a 'reflection in the chrome of an adding machine.' This suggests a sense of routine and monotony, perhaps indicative of a life that has become mechanical and devoid of deeper meaning.

The chorus, 'I had to hear you just to feel near you,' reveals a deep yearning for connection. The protagonist acknowledges that this need to hear the other person is not based on reality ('I know it's not true'), but the emotional pull is strong enough to make them reach out. This highlights the human desire for closeness and the comfort that familiar voices can bring, even when physical proximity is not possible.

The line 'I don't need the horizon to tell me where the sky ends' suggests a familiarity with one's surroundings, yet it also implies a sense of being stuck or confined within those boundaries. The subtle landscape mentioned could be a metaphor for the protagonist's internal world, one that is rich in memories and emotions but also marked by a sense of stagnation. The song captures the bittersweet nature of longing for something or someone from the past, knowing that it may not be possible to recapture what once was, yet still feeling compelled to try.