To Be

The Irrepressibles' song 'To Be' delves into the complex interplay between love, identity, and illusion. The opening lines, 'I'm born, by time and race / I long to find a face,' suggest a search for identity and belonging. The protagonist is on a quest to find a sense of self, which they hope to achieve through love. However, this journey is fraught with fears and insecurities, as indicated by the line, 'These fears I cannot hide.' This sets the stage for a narrative that explores the tension between the desire for truth and the reality of living a life filled with lies.

The chorus, 'Feeling the way you breathe down my side / I'll never escape you, I can never try,' captures the inescapable nature of the relationship. The protagonist feels trapped, unable to break free from the emotional grip of their partner. This sense of entrapment is further emphasized by the line, 'I'm lost in illusion, my world set aside,' indicating that their perception of reality is distorted by their intense emotions. The song suggests that love can be both a source of profound connection and a cause of deep disillusionment.

The recurring theme of illusion versus reality is central to the song's meaning. The lines, 'Are all my senses real, for all I am and feel / In you I see perfection, in all I am and feel,' highlight the protagonist's struggle to discern what is real from what is imagined. This duality reflects the broader human experience of grappling with the complexities of love and identity. The Irrepressibles use evocative language and haunting melodies to convey the emotional depth of this struggle, making 'To Be' a poignant exploration of the human condition.