Under Our Pillows

The Smile's 'Under Our Pillows' delves into the complexities of modern communication and the superficiality that often accompanies it. The song opens with the imagery of 'delights' and 'soft sung hymns' waiting under pillows, suggesting a sense of comfort and hidden treasures. However, this comfort is juxtaposed with a 'slate wiped clean' and a 'white loss of feeling,' indicating a numbing or erasure of genuine emotions. This duality sets the stage for the song's exploration of the tension between real and artificial connections.

The lyrics 'Nowadays, everyone's for sharing' highlight the pervasive culture of oversharing in the digital age. This line is repeated, emphasizing the ubiquity and perhaps the emptiness of such interactions. The phrase 'that doesn't have a heartbeat' further underscores the lack of genuine human connection, suggesting that what is being shared is devoid of true emotional depth. The repetition of 'episodes wiped clean' and 'major league, make believe' reinforces the idea of a sanitized, artificial reality where meaningful experiences are erased or replaced by superficial ones.

The plea 'Don't let them take me, try to convert me' adds a layer of resistance against this superficiality. The 'voice I can only see through' could symbolize the insincerity and lack of authenticity in modern communication. The song's structure, with its repetitive phrases and haunting melody, mirrors the cyclical nature of these shallow interactions, creating a sense of entrapment. Through 'Under Our Pillows,' The Smile critiques the illusion of connection in the digital age, urging listeners to seek deeper, more meaningful interactions.