Astral Projections

The Cranberries' song 'Astral Projections' delves into the surreal and otherworldly experience of astral projection, a phenomenon where the soul or consciousness is said to leave the physical body and travel independently. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this ethereal journey, filled with vibrant colors and a sense of floating in the air. The repeated questioning, 'Can you see the colours in the air?' and 'Can you see? Am I hallucinating?' suggests a struggle to distinguish between reality and a dream-like state, highlighting the disorienting nature of such an experience.

The song's narrative oscillates between moments of lucidity and confusion, as the protagonist describes waking up and walking down the stairs, only to realize they are still dreaming. This duality is further emphasized by the lines, 'I woke up but I'm still sleeping here' and 'Is this lucid dreaming yeah.' The sensation of falling, repeated throughout the song, symbolizes the instability and unpredictability of astral projection, where the individual is constantly at risk of losing their grip on reality.

The emotional core of the song is captured in the plea, 'Can you see me? I'm floating in the air. Can you wake me? I'm crying.' This evokes a sense of isolation and helplessness, as the protagonist is trapped in this otherworldly realm, unable to wake themselves or their companion. The refrain 'Astral projection can get me out of here' suggests a desire for escape, yet the repeated falling indicates that this escape is fraught with difficulty. The song concludes with a sense of yearning and freedom, as the protagonist repeatedly sings, 'I fly away,' embodying the ultimate release from their earthly confines.