Something Unreal
The Script
The Quest for Authenticity in 'Something Unreal' by The Script
In 'Something Unreal,' The Script delves into the modern struggle for genuine experiences in a world saturated with superficiality. The song's protagonist is depicted as someone who is desperately seeking something real and meaningful amidst the noise of everyday life. The opening lines, where the narrator mentions flicking through stations and clicking through sites, highlight the overwhelming influx of information and the sense of disconnection it brings. Despite consuming all this media, the narrator admits to not feeling 'right in the head,' indicating a deeper emotional or existential void.
The chorus, with its repeated desire to 'feel something unreal,' underscores a paradoxical yearning for an experience so profound that it transcends the mundane. This desire is further emphasized through the physical imagery of breaking bones and bruising, suggesting that the narrator is willing to endure pain just to feel something authentic. The lyrics also touch on the idea of living online and the superficiality that comes with it, as the narrator's heart has been 'rewired' and their beliefs feel like 'pretend.' This reflects a broader commentary on how digital life can often feel disconnected from true human experience.
Towards the end of the song, there is a glimmer of hope as the narrator feels something in their 'fingertips' and 'bones,' suggesting a moment of genuine connection or realization. The act of 'throwing back the curtains' symbolizes a revelation or awakening, as the truth is finally revealed. This moment of clarity is what the narrator has been praying and waiting for, encapsulating the song's central theme of the quest for authenticity in an increasingly artificial world.