Feel
Robbie Williams
The Quest for Authenticity in Robbie Williams' 'Feel'
Robbie Williams' 'Feel' is a poignant exploration of the human desire for genuine connection and the existential search for meaning. The song opens with a plea for intimacy, as the narrator expresses a yearning to 'contact the living,' suggesting a sense of isolation or detachment from the world around him. The mention of not understanding the 'role' he's been given hints at a deeper confusion about his place in life and the expectations that come with it. The conversation with God, where laughter meets his plans, further illustrates the narrator's struggle with finding purpose and understanding his path.
The chorus of 'Feel' is a powerful cry for authentic love and a sense of belonging. Williams sings about having 'too much life running through my veins' that's going to waste, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the untapped potential and unfulfilled experiences that come from a lack of real connection. The fear of death juxtaposed with the reluctance to fully embrace life paints a picture of someone caught in limbo, afraid to commit to life's experiences because of the inherent risks of pain and loss that come with them.
The recurring theme of 'real love' and a 'life ever after' throughout the song suggests a deep longing for lasting happiness and fulfillment. The 'hole in my soul' and the visible mark on his face imply an emptiness that can't be hidden, a void that the narrator believes only true love and a meaningful life can fill. The song's conclusion, with its repeated lines of uncertainty, leaves listeners with a sense of the narrator's ongoing internal conflict and the universal quest for understanding and genuine emotion in a world that often feels disconnected.