The Way I Feel

Keane's 'The Way I Feel' delves into the complex emotions of someone grappling with internal struggles and the perception of others. The song begins by painting a picture of a person who was once seen as a bright child, full of joy and potential. However, as time passes, this individual faces dark times, likened to 'dark clouds' and 'volcanic dust' that overshadow their once clear 'blue skies.' This imagery suggests a loss of innocence and the onset of personal turmoil that is not immediately visible to others.

The chorus introduces 'the voices in your head,' which symbolize self-doubt and the internal criticism that often accompanies mental health struggles. The lyrics 'a broken link, a missing part, a punctured wheel' metaphorically represent feelings of incompleteness and dysfunction. The song captures the frustration of not being able to articulate or understand one's own emotional state, as well as the societal pressure to move on or get over one's issues without truly addressing them.

Keane's portrayal of mental health in 'The Way I Feel' is both poignant and relatable. The song acknowledges the difficulty of living with unseen battles and the isolation that can come from feeling misunderstood. It also touches on the theme of societal expectations and the pressure to conform to a standard of normalcy, even when one's personal experience deviates from that norm. The repeated line 'the way I feel' serves as a powerful affirmation of the individual's emotional reality, despite external judgments or misunderstandings.