A Short Term Effect

The Cure's song 'A Short Term Effect' delves into themes of transience, despair, and the fleeting nature of existence. The opening lines, 'Movement, no movement, just a falling bird / Cold as it hits the bleeding ground,' set a somber tone, evoking imagery of death and the inevitable decay that follows. The bird's fall symbolizes a life that has come to an abrupt end, and the coldness as it hits the ground underscores the finality of death. This imagery is further reinforced by the lines 'He lived and died, catch sight, cover me with earth / Draped in black, static white sound,' which suggest a burial and the static, unchanging nature of death.

The chorus, 'A day without substance, a change of thought / An atmosphere that rots with time / Colours that flicker in water, a short term effect,' speaks to the impermanence of life and the fleeting impact of our actions. The 'day without substance' implies a sense of emptiness and meaninglessness, while the 'atmosphere that rots with time' suggests that everything eventually decays and loses its significance. The 'colours that flicker in water' metaphorically represent the transient beauty and fleeting moments of life, which are ultimately just 'a short term effect.'

The second verse introduces a sense of madness and chaos, with lines like 'Scream as she tries to push him over, helpless and sick / With teeth of madness, jump, jump, dance and sing.' This imagery conveys a sense of desperation and the struggle to find meaning in a world that seems indifferent. The 'charcoal face bites my hand' and 'Time is sweet, derange and disengage everything' further emphasize the disorienting and ephemeral nature of existence. The repetition of 'An echo and a stranger's hand, a short term effect' in the closing lines reinforces the idea that our lives and actions are but fleeting echoes in the vast expanse of time.

'A Short Term Effect' by The Cure is a haunting exploration of the transient nature of life and the inevitable decay that follows. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, the song captures the sense of despair and futility that often accompanies the human experience, reminding us of the fleeting impact we have on the world.