Become

The Hall Effect's song 'Become' delves into the profound sense of loss and longing that accompanies the absence of a loved one. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person grappling with the emotional aftermath of someone significant leaving their life. The opening lines, 'I say hello, but you’re not here,' immediately set the tone of desolation and yearning. The repeated attempts to connect with someone who is no longer present highlight the depth of the emotional void left behind.

The chorus, with its plea, 'Won’t you stop that, what you’re doing to me? It’s getting harder to live,' underscores the pain and difficulty of moving forward. The protagonist is caught in a cycle of trying to cope with the absence, yet finding it increasingly challenging to do so. The line 'Forbid me to feel, so I could be...' suggests a desperate attempt to numb the pain, to stop feeling altogether in order to survive the emotional turmoil.

The song also touches on the theme of change and stagnation. Despite the passage of time, 'Day after day, year after year,' the protagonist's emotional state remains unchanged, stuck in the same place of hurt and confusion. The departure of the loved one has left a lasting impact, fundamentally altering the protagonist's sense of self and reality. The repeated call for the loved one to 'come back from the place that you’re in and become what I need' is a poignant expression of the desire for things to return to how they were, for the void to be filled once more.