How To Explain

The Cat Empire's song "How To Explain" is a poetic exploration of the transformative power of music. The lyrics paint vivid imagery of a room becoming an altar, where music takes on a life of its own, almost like a mystical beast. This beast, born from the music, flies with the words sung and creates an atmosphere where reality and fantasy blend seamlessly. The song describes a place where time is fluid, and emotions are heightened, suggesting that music has the power to transcend ordinary experiences and transport listeners to a different realm.

The chorus, "Music is the language of us all," serves as the central theme of the song. It emphasizes the universal nature of music, suggesting that it is a form of communication that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers. The lyrics also highlight the physical and emotional aspects of creating and experiencing music. The mention of hands for climbing, knees for springing, and lungs for singing underscores the physicality involved in making music, while the reference to a storm inside when it rains outside captures the emotional intensity that music can evoke.

The song also touches on the idea of music as a communal experience. The imagery of a stage, a roaring crowd, and a pack of Spaniards screaming for more illustrates the collective energy and shared emotions that live music performances can generate. The Cat Empire suggests that music has the power to unite people, creating a shared language that speaks to the core of human experience. The final lines, which mention fading and yawning to music, imply that even as the night ends, the impact of music lingers, leaving a lasting impression on the soul.