What Went Down

Foals' song 'What Went Down' is a powerful exploration of inner turmoil, identity, and the struggle for self-acceptance. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist grappling with deep-seated emotions and the consequences of their actions. The opening lines, 'I buried my heart in a hole in the ground,' suggest a sense of loss and concealment, as if the narrator is trying to hide their true feelings and vulnerabilities. This theme of burying emotions is further emphasized with the mention of guilt and the imagery of rust and vultures, symbolizing decay and scavenging on past mistakes.

The recurring lines, 'When I see a man, I see a lion / When I see a man, I see a liar,' highlight the duality of human nature. The lion represents strength, courage, and dominance, while the liar signifies deceit and betrayal. This juxtaposition reflects the narrator's conflicted perception of themselves and others, struggling to reconcile their ideals with reality. The phrase 'You're the apple of my eye' introduces a sense of longing and desire, yet it is tinged with a sense of unattainability and frustration, as the narrator's attempts to connect with others seem to fall short.

The song also delves into themes of identity and self-sacrifice. The lines 'Give up my money, give up my name, take it away' suggest a willingness to relinquish material and personal identifiers in a quest for something more meaningful. The repeated declaration 'I'm a sycophantic animal' reveals a self-awareness of one's flaws and the struggle to break free from them. Ultimately, 'What Went Down' is a raw and introspective journey through the complexities of the human psyche, capturing the essence of inner conflict and the quest for self-understanding.