Neptune

Sleeping At Last's 'Neptune' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of vulnerability, emotional turmoil, and the struggle to express love. The song opens with the imagery of 'pitch black, pale blue,' setting a somber and introspective tone. The 'stained glass variation of the truth' suggests a fragmented and distorted perception of reality, hinting at the complexity and confusion the narrator feels. This sense of being 'empty handed' underscores a feeling of inadequacy and helplessness.

The nautical metaphors throughout the song, such as setting sail with 'cheap wood' and patching up leaks, symbolize the narrator's attempts to navigate through life's challenges and emotional storms. However, the 'blame grew too heavy,' indicating that these efforts are ultimately futile and burdensome. The repeated lines 'stitch by stitch I tear apart' and 'thread by thread I come apart' poignantly convey the narrator's sense of unraveling and brokenness, likening it to a form of art—a 'masterpiece' of suffering.

The chorus reveals a profound struggle with honesty and communication. The narrator admits to being 'only honest when it rains,' using the metaphor of rain and thunder to describe moments of emotional clarity and expression. Yet, even in these moments, there is a sense of incompleteness, as depicted by the 'open book with a torn out page' and 'ink's run out.' This imagery captures the frustration of wanting to express love but feeling incapable of doing so. The song's closing lines, 'I want to love you but I don’t know how,' echo this sentiment, leaving the listener with a poignant sense of longing and unresolved emotion.

'Neptune' by Sleeping At Last is a deeply introspective and emotionally charged song that delves into the complexities of human emotion, the struggle for self-expression, and the yearning for connection. Its rich metaphors and evocative imagery make it a powerful and relatable piece for anyone who has ever felt lost in their own emotional landscape.