Conrad by Ben Howard Lyrics Meaning – The Emotional Voyage Explored
Lyrics
Out to where you see
The curl of the world,
We’re alone
Just like you said
Cold cold world,
Life lasts
Only one thing left to roll
Last year to learn,
You were the boat that bridged
In the tale of Conrad
We will never be the change
To the weather and the sea and you knew that,
You were the boat that bridged
In the tale of Conrad
Oh I loved you with the good
And the careless of me
But it all goes back,
Oh climb out
Out enough to see
The curl of the world,
Oh we’re alone
Just like you said
Last year to learn,
You were the boat that bridged
In the tale of Conrad
We will never be the change
To the weather and the sea and you knew that,
You were the boat that bridged
In the tale of Conrad
Oh I loved you with the good
And the careless of me
But it all goes back,
You were the boat that bridged
In the tale of Conrad
We will never be the change
To the weather and the sea and you knew that,
You were the boat that bridged
In the tale of Conrad
Oh I loved you with the good
And the careless of me
But it all goes back,
Ben Howard’s ‘Conrad’ is a melodic odyssey, a song that takes listeners on an emotional voyage through the turbulent sea of life and relationships. With its haunting lyrics and profound instrumental accompaniment, the track from Howard’s 2014 album ‘I Forget Where We Were’ resonates with a sense of deep introspection and melancholic beauty.
At first listen, one might be inclined to simply enjoy the soothing melodies, but delve a little deeper, and ‘Conrad’ reveals complex layers of meaning. The song serves as a reflection of the inexorable forces that shape our lives and the resignation to the inevitable drift apart in relationships.
Navigating the ‘Curl of the World’: An Introduction to Isolation
The opening lines of ‘Conrad’ introduce listeners to the stark image of isolation. Climbing out ‘to where you see the curl of the world’ suggests a broadening of perspective, perhaps singling out human insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe. It’s a vantage point that conveys both the vast beauty and the profound loneliness that comes with realizing one’s solitude in the world.
The phrase ‘cold, cold world’ echoes a sentiment many can relate to, reinforcing the feeling of desolation that can come not only from the physical environment but also from the emotional landscape within one’s personal experiences.
The Tale of Conrad: Unearthing the Hidden Reference
Howard’s insertion of ‘the tale of Conrad’ is no casual name-drop but a likely reference to Joseph Conrad, the author known for his work exploring the human condition amidst nature’s overwhelming power. It might be an allusion to Conrad’s masterpiece, ‘Heart of Darkness,’ where the journey isn’t just a physical one but a plunge into the psyche and the darkness within.
In this context, ‘you were the boat that bridged’ could symbolize a relationship once seen as the connecting force over turbulent waters or challenging times in life. The lyrics suggest a profound connection with someone who was once a focal point of stability and guidance.
Deciphering the Metaphor: The Boat and the Sea
The recurring image of the boat bridges the tangible with the metaphorical, evoking a sense of journey, transition, and the passage between points in one’s life. The sea, on the other hand, with its ever-changing ‘weather,’ could signify the tumultuous emotions and events we are unable to control.
Acknowledging that ‘we will never be the change to the weather and the sea’ carries a tone of acceptance, an ode to the inevitable forces beyond our control, and perhaps a subtle nod to the futility of resisting life’s natural course.
A Heartfelt Confession: ‘I Loved You with the Good and the Careless of Me’
One of the most memorable lines of ‘Conrad,’ this confession captures the essence of human vulnerability—a raw admission to loving not perfect but honestly, with all one’s virtues and flaws.
The song’s acknowledgment that ‘it all goes back’ implies a return to origins, a cyclical view of experiences, emotions, and relationships that find their way back home, possibly to their natural conclusion, regardless of the efforts invested.
Concluding Reflections: The Lasting Resonance of Conrad
As the final chords of ‘Conrad’ fade away, one is left with an enduring sense of reflection. Ben Howard’s lyrics, both cryptic and cathartic, have a way of lingering in the mind, inviting listeners to ponder the deeper resonances within their own lives.
Howard has crafted a song that, much like a literary work, inspires varied interpretations and evokes a spectrum of emotional responses. ‘Conrad’ is a hauntingly beautiful testament to the intricacies of the internal landscape we navigate and the external world’s relentless surge, as undeniable as the tide.
