Plum by Troye Sivan Lyrics Meaning – The Bittersweet Passage of Time in Relationships
Lyrics
Run my hands through your hair and it’s got me thinking
What you mean to me
There’s a chill in the air and a sinking feeling
Coming over me
Like bitter tangerine
Like sirens in the streets
Oh no
Maybe our time has come
Maybe we’re overgrown
Even the sweetest plum
Has only got so long
Baby, we’re barely holding on
Even the sweetest plum
Has only got so long
Jealous you can sleep
You’ve been keeping me up and I mouth the words
I think I wanna speak
Instead I’m wasting my time just pressing rewind
To all the nights we shared
The ripest peach or pear
But change is in the air, oh
Maybe our time has come
Maybe we’re overgrown
Even the sweetest plum
Has only got so long
Baby, we’re barely holding on
Even the sweetest plum
Has only got so long
(Got so long)
I was summer, you were spring
You can’t change what the seasons bring
Yeah, I was summer, you were spring
You can’t change what the seasons bring
Maybe our time has come
Maybe we’re overgrown
Even the sweetest plum
Has only got so long
Baby, we’re barely holding on
Even the sweetest plum
Has only got so long
Maybe we’re overgrown
The sweetest plum
Got so long
(Got so long)
The sweetest plum
Has only got so long
With the tender cadence of a ballad and the introspective lure of an anthem, Troye Sivan’s ‘Plum’ blossoms into a narrative about the impermanent nature of relationships. This track from Sivan’s sophomore album captures the wistful realization that even the sweetest connections may have an expiry date.
Through fruit metaphors and seasonal imagery, Sivan’s lyrics speak on a universal truth: all things, no matter how vibrant and filled with life, undergo transformation. ‘Plum’, with its juxtaposition of soothing melodies and pensive lyrics, portrays the beauty and inevitable decay within romantic bonds, tapping deeply into the listener’s own reservoir of personal encounters.
A Decaying Love: The Fruitful Metaphor
Troye Sivan paints a vivid picture of love’s evolution through the lifecycle of fruit, employing a metaphor that’s as delicate as it is potent. When Sivan croons, ‘Even the sweetest plum / Has only got so long,’ he’s musing over the transience of love and its tendency to ripen until there’s nothing left but decay. This might reflect the natural end of a relationship which—despite its once ripe, sweet beginnings—can’t escape the inevitable.
The imagery extends to feelings, where the intensity and passion of a relationship, once fresh and delightful like a ‘ripest peach or pear,’ begins to change. The metaphor lends ‘Plum’ a subtle intensity, as Sivan delivers a powerful commentary on the perishable nature of human connection, ultimately reminding listeners that everything has a season.
Seasonal Shifts Signaling Change
Delving further into the forces of change is the artist’s reference to the unmistakable shifts between seasons: ‘I was summer, you were spring / You can’t change what the seasons bring.’ This analogy highlights the inevitability of transformation within relationships, depicting how each person brings their own time and tide, denoting growth or decline.
The seasonal motif thus becomes a gentle, yet stark reminder that romantic dynamics are often governed by forces outside individual control. Just as the natural world transitions from the blossom-filled days of spring to the heat of summer, relationships too can shift, evolve, and sometimes, drift apart despite the reluctance of the parties involved.
The Echo of Memorable Lines
‘Maybe our time has come / Maybe we’re overgrown,’ Sivan intones, creating an anthem for the moment one acknowledges a relationship’s looming finale. Here, the singer-songwriter captures the dual essence of longing and acceptance—the desire to reclaim what was once vibrant and the sober realization that moving on might be the only path forward.
‘Baby, we’re barely holding on,’ further accentuates the song’s central theme: the struggle to maintain a connection no matter its fate. These memorable lines linger with listeners, evoking the melancholic acknowledgment of life’s relentless forward march.
Unveiling the Song’s Hidden Depth
Behind its catchy melody and eloquent lyrics lies a deeper narrative of personal experience and introspection. ‘Plum’ resonates not only as a tale of love lost but also as an intimate journey through self-awareness. Troye Sivan peels back the layers of his own relationship to reveal the universal experience of watching something beautiful and full of life eventually fade and change form.
The undertones of solitude in ‘Jealous you can sleep / You’ve been keeping me up,’ express the solitary struggle one goes through during the later stages of a relationship’s demise, when nights are filled with restless thoughts rather than the comfort of a partner’s presence.
The Sonic Palette as an Emotional Catalyst
The musical arrangement of ‘Plum’ is equally as significant as its lyrical content in conveying emotion. The juxtaposition of Sivan’s gentle vocals over a backdrop of minimalist beats and soft, synthy textures serves as the perfect vessel for the song’s contemplative mood, allowing the poignant narrative to resonate deeply with listeners.
As the song unfolds, the increasing intensity of the instrumental highlights the emotional arc of the lyrics, mirroring the tumultuous journey from the sweetness of love’s inception to the poignant realization of its impending end. The sonic layers in ‘Plum’ speak volumes, elevating the track to a hauntingly beautiful reminder of love’s transient dance.
