Evening Sun by The Strokes Lyrics Meaning – A Dazzling Dive into the Dusk of Identity and Intimacy
Lyrics
But they will never let you be
They’ll thrill you or sedate you
But they will never let you see
In the evening sun
Amber evening sun
Encourage and derange you
Watch you walking scared alone
Despite intimidation
Pleased to watch you dance alone
In the evening sun
Amber evening sun
Go your separate way now
Someday you’ll come back
And I’ll be dreaming I was sunburned
I don’t wanna break your heart in
Break your heart in two halves
Keep one half and give one half to me
I like the summer, miss the summer
Tell me, what’d you do? Nothing? Me, too
All actors, they’re pretendin’
And singers, they will sometimes lie
Kids are always honest
‘Cause they don’t think they’re ever gonna die
You’re the prettiest, smartest captain of the team
I love you more than being seventeen
In the evening sun
Amber evening sun
In the evening sun
The Strokes are masters of encapsulation; their songs are time capsules brimming with the angst, euphoria, and introspectiveness of urban existence. ‘Evening Sun,’ a track from their album ‘First Impressions of Earth,’ is no exception. The hauntingly beautiful lyrics penned by Julian Casablancas echo a sentiment of poignant resignation layered with a conflicting sense of hope and despair.
This is a song that reflects upon the human experience, the ever-present gaze of society, and the struggle for authenticity in a world that relentlessly tries to mold and alter individuals. Let’s unpack the majesty behind the amber hues of ‘Evening Sun,’ illuminating the deeper message resonating through every line of this sonic masterpiece.
The Dichotomy of Adoration and Alienation
They love you or they hate you, but they will never let you be – this opening line is a paradox that immediately sets the tone for the song. Casablancas laments the reality of human existence: the dichotomy of the perception of others, which oscillates between adoration and alienation, yet both extremes refuse to grant one true freedom.
This idea of external forces ‘thrilling’ or ‘seducing’ us speaks to society’s penchant for manipulation. It’s a persistent them throughout the song, painting a picture of a world where authenticity is always under siege. ‘Evening Sun’ proposes that perhaps the true self can only be observed in isolation, in contemplative solitude – represented symbolically by the evening sun.
A Lonely Dance under the Amber Sky
The next verses thrust listeners into the center of an introspective dance, walking ‘scared alone’ despite being ‘encouraged and deranged.’ It speaks to the courage it takes to remain distinct in the face of societal pressure – to remain true to one’s idiosyncrasies whilst surrounded by forces that wish to homogenize individuality.
Through the recurring motif of the ‘evening sun,’ Casablancas creates a transient space where one can experience freedom, albeit temporary and fragile. The amber glow acts as a temporary haven, where the protagonist can indulge in uninhibited self-expression away from prying eyes and societal judgment.
An Inevitable Cycle of Separation and Longing
The verse ‘Go your separate way now / Someday you’ll come back’ encapsulates the inevitability of parting and the enduring nature of longing. This bitter cycle of separation and return underpins much of human relationships – a theme The Strokes visit frequently, always with a fresh, raw ache.
The desire to ‘break your heart in two halves’ is a plea for shared experience and connection amidst isolation. Even as we venture alone, whether physically or emotionally, there’s a profound longing to share life’s journey, the way we share seasons – giving a piece of our heart in hopes of preserving warmth beyond the summer.
The Revelatory Power of Youthful Naïveté
One of the more intriguing lines of ‘Evening Sun’ probes the nature of truth and innocence in ‘All actors, they’re pretendin’ / And singers, they will sometimes lie / Kids are always honest.’ Here, Casablancas alludes to the purity of youth – an unblemished lens through which the world is viewed without guile.
In the stark honesty of children, who ‘don’t think they’re ever gonna die,’ there lies a revelatory power. Their straightforwardness is contrasted sharply against the facade often adopted by adults, suggesting an underlying yearning for a time when truth was simple and life, fearlessly eternal.
The Endearing Echo of ‘Being Seventeen’
The song reaches an emotional crescendo with the lines, ‘I love you more than being seventeen.’ It’s a poignant tribute to the fierce intensity of youthful emotion and the purest form of love. ‘Being seventeen’ becomes a metaphor for that time in life when feelings are most vivid, unchecked by the cynicism that comes with age.
The Strokes, in their typical fashion, present a conflicting narrative; although there’s a clear sense of looking back with fondness on the innocence and passion of younger days, ‘Evening Sun’ doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the inevitability of growing older and the mournful beauty found within that transformation.
