Long Hot Summer

The Style Council's song "Long Hot Summer" delves into the emotional turmoil and existential angst experienced during a period of intense personal reflection. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist who is grappling with feelings of defeat and loneliness. The mention of walking and watching lonely films and attending lonely parties suggests attempts to find solace or distraction, yet these efforts are ultimately futile. The tears are no longer part of a performance; they are genuine, indicating a deep-seated sorrow that cannot be easily dismissed.

The chorus, with its repetitive assertion that "it don't matter what I do," underscores a sense of helplessness and inevitability. The protagonist acknowledges that despite their best efforts, they end up causing pain to someone they care about. This realization is a heavy burden, contributing to the internal conflict and desire to escape, yet feeling trapped by the truth of their situation. The imagery of dashing against the rocks of a lifetime evokes a sense of relentless struggle and the harsh realities of life that cannot be avoided.

The song's bridge further amplifies the emotional weight, with voices in the protagonist's mind and shadows in their heart symbolizing inner conflict and a loss of self-esteem. The once pleasurable experiences have turned into sources of pain, and the protagonist feels diminished and unsure of how to process their emotions. The long hot summer, a metaphor for a period of intense and unrelenting emotional heat, has passed by, leaving the protagonist in a state of confusion and sorrow. The song captures the essence of a personal crisis, where the passage of time only seems to deepen the emotional wounds rather than heal them.