Atlantic

Keane's song 'Atlantic' is a poignant reflection on the fear of aging, loneliness, and the yearning for a lasting connection. The lyrics convey a deep sense of vulnerability and the desire to avoid the isolation that can come with growing older. The opening lines, 'I hope all my days / Will be lit by your face,' express a longing for a constant presence, a partner whose love will illuminate the narrator's life throughout the years. This sets the tone for a song that is as much about the fear of loneliness as it is about the hope for enduring love.

The chorus, 'I don't wanna be old and sleep alone / An empty house is not a home,' underscores the dread of solitary old age, where the absence of companionship turns a house into just a shell, devoid of warmth and comfort. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the depth of this fear and the importance of companionship in the narrator's life. The imagery of an 'empty house' is a powerful metaphor for the emptiness one might feel without love and connection.

The latter part of the song introduces a metaphorical 'place' that represents safety and love. The 'lonely angels' and the 'lover's lap' symbolize a sanctuary where the narrator can find solace and escape from the 'broken' world. This place is both a literal and figurative space of comfort, suggesting that what the narrator seeks is not just a physical location, but also the emotional security that comes from being with someone who cares deeply for them. The song ends with a sense of yearning for this place of peace and the companionship that seems to be the only remedy for the narrator's fears.