Legendary Lovers
TV Girl
The Ephemeral Nature of Love and Youth
TV Girl's song "Legendary Lovers" delves into the fleeting and often disillusioning nature of love and youth. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a relationship that once seemed legendary but has now lost its luster. The opening lines suggest a sense of urgency and escape, as the protagonist advises to make a getaway at the right time, hinting at the need to leave a situation before it deteriorates further. The imagery of hitting every green light from here to LA symbolizes a smooth, unhindered escape, contrasting with the inevitable complications that follow.
The song then shifts to a more reflective tone, highlighting the transformation of friends and lovers over time. The line "As sluts turn to mothers and the legendary lovers get sick of one another" captures the inevitable changes and disillusionment that come with growing up. The once rebellious and carefree individuals now find themselves conforming to societal norms, losing the spark that made their love legendary. This theme is further emphasized with the lines "As dreams turn to daydreams and punks learn to behave," suggesting a loss of youthful idealism and rebellion.
Throughout the song, there's a recurring theme of unfulfilled potential and the passage of time. The metaphor of "sedentary fireworks going bad" and "shiny new fighter jets getting strafed on the deck" illustrates how things that once held promise and excitement can quickly become disappointing and mundane. Despite this, the protagonist maintains a sense of constancy, reassuring their lover that they will never change, even as everything else does. This juxtaposition of change and constancy adds depth to the song, making it a poignant reflection on the transient nature of love and youth.