Go Outside by Cults Lyrics Meaning – The Allure of Carpe Diem in Modern Indie Pop
Lyrics
I really want to go outside and stop to see your day
You really want to hole up
You really want to stay inside and sleep the light away
I really want to go out
I really want to go outside and make it light all day
You really want to hole up
You really want to stay inside and not care where you lay
Well I know what’s good
Exactly ’cause I have been there before
Yeah I know what’s good
Exactly those things night cannot behold
I really want to go out
I really want to go outside and stop to see your day
You really want to hole up
You really want to stay inside and sleep the light away
I think it’s good to go out
‘Cause if you don’t you’ll never make a memory that will stay
I think that you should wake up
I think I want to live my life and you’re just in my way
The track ‘Go Outside’ by Cults, a duo known for their dreamy indie pop soundscapes, emerges as a seemingly simple tune with a compelling call to emerge from our shells. The repetitive, catchy nature of its chorus disguises an undercurrent of existential thought that’s ripe for dissection. The song taps into a universal struggle with inertia, contrasting the seductive safety of isolation with the undeniable draw of the external world.
In this examination, we delve deeper into the lyrics, parsing through not just their face value, but also through what lies beneath. The song acts as a mirror reflecting the cultural zeitgeist of an era where digital screens often trump physical interaction, offering insights into why ‘Go Outside’ has resonated with listeners seeking more than just the comfort of the familiar.
The Comfort Zone Conundrum
The opening lines of ‘Go Outside’ place us directly in the midst of a dialogue between complacency and aspiration. The protagonist expresses an unmistakable desire to engage with the world, to ‘go outside and stop to see your day.’ This contradicts directly with their counterpart’s urge to ‘stay inside and sleep the light away,’ pointing to a philosophical tug-of-war between living fully and residing comfortably within a cocoon of safety.
This dichotomy draws a line in the sand — even though staying in the confines of one’s own space promises security and solace, the song implies that such safety might be a velvet-lined trap, one that keeps us from the vivid hues of lived experiences. It’s a nuanced exploration of the seemingly mundane choice between stepping out the door and staying in, amplified into a question of existential importance.
Unveiling The Hidden Meaning: Night Cannot Behold
In the pursuit of metaphor, Cults delivers a line that stands apart: ‘I know what’s good exactly ’cause I have been there before…exactly those things night cannot behold.’ There’s a weight to these words, a compelling assertion that there are elements of life, ‘good’ things, that can only exist under the scrutiny of daylight—literal or metaphorical. It’s an eloquent reminder that clarity and growth often come from stepping into the light, away from shadows, both internal and external.
The ‘night’ here may symbolize the unknown, fear, or unconsciousness. The suggestion is that only by braving the brightness of day can one fully appreciate or even recognize what is ‘good.’ The band leads us to believe that real understanding and pleasure are found in the moments illuminated by the sun’s rays or by the figurative light of awareness and presence.
Carpe Diem Crooning: Seizing More Than the Day
‘I think it’s good to go out’ is not just a throwaway sentiment but a mantra for making lasting memories. By suggesting that stepping outside is a prerequisite for memory-making, the song aligns itself with the timeless philosophy of carpe diem. The call to seize the day is a commentary on the transient nature of life, stressing the importance of action over passivity.
This isn’t merely about physical location; it’s an advocacy for an active mindset, a life led fully engaged with the world. ‘Go Outside’ is not just a catchy indie anthem; it’s a call to arms against the sedentary lifestyle that technology can often afford or enforce. It speaks to a generation increasingly affected by social isolation, proposing an antidote of lived experience.
Memorable Lines: Living Life Versus Just Being in the Way
The conclusion of the chorus brings us to a confrontational yet cathartic realization: ‘I think I want to live my life and you’re just in my way.’ This line punctuates the song with a declaration of autonomy and the pursuit of self-actualization. It’s a recognition that to truly live, one might need to disentangle themselves from the inertia of others, to not only go outside but to also leave behind the limitations set by someone else’s reluctance to change.
It’s a powerful stance that resonates with anyone who’s felt held back by their environment or the people in it. It communicates that a person’s journey outside, or towards any endeavor of growth, can sometimes be a solitary one, but it’s a solitude that’s preferential to the company that stifles one’s will to truly live.
Indie Pop as a Vessel for Existential Musings
As we dissect the song piece by piece, what stands out is its ability to use the indie pop genre as a vessel for existential musings. The simple request to ‘go outside’ becomes an allegory for a much larger human experience — the innate desire to connect, to grow, and to be a part of something beyond the four walls of comfort. Cults harness the catchiness of pop to deliver a message that is at once accessible and multilayered.
It’s the universality of ‘Go Outside’ that cements its place in the modern lexicon of indie anthems. With its upbeat tempo and melodic lure, it becomes an anthem for anyone on the brink of decision, for those who are poised between the known and the unknown, offering a gentle nudge towards the latter.
