True To Life

The song "True To Life" by the band Roxy Music is a poetic reflection on urban life, the quest for authenticity, and the complexities of human relationships. The lyrics begin with a sense of emptiness and darkness, where the narrator finds themselves lost in thoughts and directionless. The 'diamond lady,' an enigmatic figure, perhaps represents an ideal or a quest for something precious and unattainable, but remains distant and nameless.

The song also addresses the transformation of times and how imagination, which once was a source of warmth and comfort, now leaves people 'out in the cold.' The 'dancing city' is a metaphor for modern urban life, vibrant and full of movement, but lacking soul and authenticity. The city has 'a thousand faces' that the narrator will never know, symbolizing superficiality and the lack of genuine connection in everyday interactions.

The repetition of the phrase 'True to life' throughout the song suggests an incessant search for something real and true amidst a world of complications and compensations. The narrator seems to be on a journey, both physical and emotional, in search of meaning and authenticity. The reference to the 'seaside diamond' at the end of the song can be seen as a metaphor for a refuge or a place of peace and truth, where the narrator will finally find a sense of belonging and completeness.

The song, with its captivating melody and introspective lyrics, invites the listener to reflect on their own quests and challenges in modern life, and the importance of finding something true and meaningful amidst the chaos and superficiality of the urban world.