Flow

Cage The Elephant's song 'Flow' delves into the transient and fleeting nature of life, capturing moments of introspection and the passage of time. The lyrics open with the singer looking out of a window, pondering how things have come to be. This sets a contemplative tone, suggesting a sense of wonder and perhaps confusion about life's journey. The imagery of a 'tempo lifted by a gentle breeze' evokes a feeling of lightness and impermanence, as if life is a melody carried by the wind, subject to change and movement.

The metaphor of an 'ugly suitcase' that 'stretches for days' could symbolize the burdens and baggage we carry through life. Despite its unattractive appearance, it is a constant companion, much like the challenges and experiences that shape us. The 'sunset softly trampled by the rain' further emphasizes the theme of transience, illustrating how beautiful moments can be fleeting and easily overshadowed by sorrow or hardship.

The chorus, with its repeated calls to 'hold on' and references to things being 'dead and gone,' underscores the struggle to maintain a grip on stability and meaning in the face of life's inevitable changes. The repetition of 'way too long' and 'so long' suggests a longing for something lost or a recognition of time slipping away. The second verse continues this theme, with the singer seeking a 'hiding place' and climbing to the 'tree tops' to watch everything drift away, indicating a desire to escape and gain perspective on the transient nature of existence.

'Flow' by Cage The Elephant is a poignant reflection on the impermanence of life, urging listeners to hold on through the ebb and flow of experiences, even as they come and go like the wind and rain.