If I Believe You by The 1975 Lyrics Meaning – Delving into the Spiritual Void and Quest for Identity
Lyrics
That’s infected
And I’m petrified of being alone now
It’s pathetic, I know
And I tossed and I turn in my bed
It’s just like I lost my head (lost my head)
And if I believe you
Will that make it stop?
If I told you I need you
Is that what you want?
And I’m broken and bleeding
And begging for help (there’s no use singing a song)
And I’m asking you Jesus, show yourself
I thought I’d met you once or twice
But that was just because the dabs were nice and opening up my mind
Showing me consciousness is primary in the universe
And I had a revelation
I’ll be your child if you insist
I mean if it was you that made my body
You probably shouldn’t have made me atheist
But, oh, I’m a lesbian kiss
I’m an evangelist
And if you don’t want to go to hell then miss, you better start selling this
Yeah
And if I believe you
Will that make it stop?
If I told you I need you
Is that what you want?
And I’m broken and bleeding
And begging for help (there’s no use singing a song)
And I’m asking you Jesus, show yourself
If I’m lost then how can I find myself?
If I’m lost then how can I find myself?
If I’m lost then how can I find myself?
If I’m lost now then how can I find myself?
If I’m lost now then how can I find myself?
If I’m lost then how can I find myself?
Then how can I find myself?
If I’m lost now then how can I find myself?
Yeah, yeah, yeah
If I’m lost now then how can I find myself?
Yeah, yeah
At first listen, ‘If I Believe You’ by The 1975 sounds like a sleek mingling of jazz-influenced instrumentals and Matthew Healy’s signature mellow vocals. But beneath its auditory aesthetic lies a rich tapestry of religious skepticism, existential struggle, and the yearning for spiritual connection amidst the void of non-belief. This track, plucked from their sophisticated sophomore album ‘I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It,’ ventures deep into the quandaries of faith in the modern age.
The 1975 has a reputation for eclectic musicality and poetic lyricism, and in ‘If I Believe You,’ they explore the contradiction of longing for faith in a science-oriented society. It dives into the individual’s complex relationship with the concept of a higher power, charting a path that is both deeply personal and widely resonant. The lilting, almost gospel-like sway of the song adds an intense irony to the confessions of an atheist, rendering the journey more poignant.
The Divine Absence in a God-shaped Hole
Lead singer Matty Healy opens a window into his soul with the raw admission of a ‘God-shaped hole’ that’s become infected. The very human fear of loneliness echoes throughout the lines, confessing a vulnerability that comes from the recognition of a void where faith might have been. This God-shaped hole is emblematic of the search for meaning in a universe that often feels indifferent – a quest for a compass where there is none.
This spiritual emptiness is not just a casual theme; it’s the crux of Healy’s inner struggle, dwelling on the fringes of faith. ‘It’s pathetic, I know’ he muses, mocking his own quandary, which reflects the contemporary zeitgeist. We laud rationality, yet in moments of despair, some intrinsic part of us reaches for a higher power, only to find confusion when faced with the silence of the cosmos.
Faith vs. Reason: An Atheist’s Paradox
Healy’s confrontation with his atheist beliefs juxtaposed against his longing for a divine presence is a dance with irony. The song operates on a level of cognitive dissonance where the desire to believe clashes with the rejection of religious dogma. ‘But, oh, I’m a lesbian kiss; I’m an evangelist’ speaks to the provocative nature of embarking on a quest for truth beyond the traditionally religious – questioning identity and morality in one breath.
The offbeat comparison stems from placing the sacred and the secular in the same line, highlighting the fluidity of modern societal values against the backdrop of traditional religious structures. It’s particularly relevant as Matty translates his inner conflict into the societal canvas, scrutinizing how religion and personal identities often find themselves in opposition in the realms of public discourse.
Deciphering the Hidden Gospel In ‘If I Believe You’
Layered within the track’s soul-searching lyrics is a hidden gospel – not the one of religious texts, but one of humanity’s universal grappling with faith. When Matty asks, ‘And if I believe you, will that make it stop?’ he’s not just addressing a deity, but also confronting the existential anxiety that plagues individuals seeking belief’s comfort. This question is the song’s emotional bedrock, illustrating the desperation to halt the inner turmoil.
Therein lies the hidden meaning: the concept of belief itself becomes a respite, a momentary stay against confusion. Healy’s imploring vocals pose a theological inquiry that rises from the verses like a spectral form – is the act of belief a remedy for our inner chaos, irrespective of the belief’s content? This hidden gospel challenges the listener to consider their own relationship with faith, doubt, and the quest for inner peace.
A Journey Through Self-Revelation and Cosmic Consciousness
Referencing ‘dabs’ and the subsequent mind-opening experience, Matty takes the listener on his journey of self-revelation. ‘Consciousness is primary in the universe’ is less a declaration of self-discovery than it is an admission of the enormity of conscious experience. In this line, the lyrics transcend the introspective, reaching out towards the idea of a collective consciousness that science is only beginning to understand.
The song cleverly entwines the epiphany of self with the cosmic scale of existence. Healy’s anecdote of being willing to ‘be your child’ if it means finding a form of divine acceptance, even as an atheist, layers the track with a nuance that questions the legitimacy of divine creation. It is a provocative statement that aligns the struggle for meaning with the broader human experience.
Memorable Lines that Echo the Human Condition
‘If I’m lost then how can I find myself?’ Matty repeats these poignant words in an almost chant-like fashion, reflecting the circular nature of his spiritual and mental predicament. This powerful line, a moment of refrain within the song, distills the essence of a generation seeking direction in an often-directionless society. It encapsulates the sentiment that sometimes one must admit being lost before beginning the journey towards self-discovery.
The line resonates as a beacon for those navigating the currents of doubt and faith, uncertainty and conviction. It strips down the complexities of religious belief to a human level, where the search for self and for a deeper understanding of the world becomes an interlocking puzzle we’re all attempting to solve. In the echo of this line, the song spreads its arms wide, inviting listeners into a shared experience of existential bewilderment and the pursuit of meaning.
