Rubber Band Man (feat. Mumford & Sons)

Hozier's "Rubber Band Man (feat. Mumford & Sons)" is a poignant exploration of resilience, memory, and the enduring nature of love. The song opens with a sense of struggle, capturing the feeling of being unable to win despite one's efforts. This is a universal experience, where the chaos in one's mind begins to reveal cracks in their facade. The imagery of "dying to raise the dead" suggests a longing to revive something lost, perhaps a relationship or a part of oneself that has been buried under life's pressures.

The metaphor of the "rubber band man" is central to the song's message. It symbolizes flexibility and adaptability, urging the listener to remain resilient in the face of adversity. Hozier encourages embracing change and fluidity, rather than clinging to rigid structures represented by "hard mortar and stone." This metaphor extends to the idea of making "the water your bones," suggesting that strength can be found in being adaptable and open to life's ebbs and flows.

Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of memory and the passage of time. The lyrics reflect on the enduring nature of love and connection, even when physically separated. The repeated line "You're a world away, but you're still the same" emphasizes the constancy of the heart's recognition, despite changes in circumstance. The song also touches on the bittersweet nature of impermanence, with lines like "Nothing lasts forever, babe," highlighting the tension between the desire for permanence and the reality of change. Ultimately, "Rubber Band Man" is a meditation on the power of memory and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of life's inevitable transformations.