Good Grief

Bastille's song 'Good Grief' delves into the complex emotions that accompany the loss of someone dear. The lyrics convey a sense of trying to cope with the absence of a loved one, possibly through the lens of denial and the struggle to accept reality. The opening line, which is a sample from the movie 'Weird Science,' sets a whimsical tone, contrasting with the song's deeper themes of grief and loss.

The phrase 'watching through my fingers' suggests a desire to shield oneself from the full impact of grief, as if peering through hands that cover the face. This imagery of partial observation reflects the difficulty in facing the pain head-on. The repetition of 'I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more' emphasizes the growing intensity of the narrator's longing and the persistent presence of the departed in their thoughts. The song also touches on the bittersweet nature of memories, where even joyful moments are tinged with sadness due to the absence of the person who is being missed.

The juxtaposition of dancing at a funeral and sleeping in the clothes of the loved one illustrates the confusion and the unconventional ways people may grieve. The lyrics 'You might have to excuse me, I’ve lost control of all my senses' and 'get drunk, call me a fool' suggest attempts to numb the pain or act out as a way to deal with the overwhelming emotions. 'Good Grief' captures the turmoil of mourning, the yearning for the past, and the struggle to find a new normal without the person who has been lost.