Sense
The Lightning Seeds
The Elusive Nature of Love and Happiness
The Lightning Seeds' song 'Sense' delves into the ephemeral and often elusive nature of love and happiness. The opening lines, 'I’m flying high on something beautiful and aimless,' suggest a feeling of euphoria that is both uplifting and directionless. This sensation is so profound that it defies naming, indicating its transient and indefinable quality. The imagery of being left 'on a bed of splinters' and living 'in a town closed down for winter' evokes a sense of isolation and discomfort, contrasting sharply with the initial high, highlighting the fleeting nature of these emotions.
The chorus, 'The taste of love, the more you get, the more you want,' speaks to the insatiable desire for love and connection. This craving is described as self-perpetuating, driven by the simple reason of 'just because.' The repetition of 'It all makes sense when you’re near' underscores the idea that love brings clarity and meaning to life, even if only temporarily. The presence of a loved one can make everything fall into place, providing a sense of purpose and understanding that is otherwise missing.
In the final verse, the singer stands 'high on tiptoes looking over fences,' symbolizing the anticipation and longing for a transformative connection. The desire to be 'kissed senseless' and to escape 'faces drawn in sadness' reflects a yearning to break free from the mundane and dive into the 'tides of loving madness.' This imagery captures the intense, almost reckless abandon that love can inspire, offering a stark contrast to the earlier feelings of isolation and aimlessness. Through these vivid metaphors and emotional contrasts, 'Sense' captures the complex and often contradictory nature of love and happiness, making it a deeply relatable and poignant song.