This track celebrates the strength and transformative nature of love. It acknowledges how love can both uplift and challenge us, acting as a force strong enough to change our paths. The songwriter delves into the dual nature of love, showing how it can be both a source of happiness and a trigger for emotions like jealousy. The song isn’t about a specific person but rather about the universal experience of love’s impact. It seems the songwriter was inspired by the way love can simultaneously bring joy and pain, aiming to capture these contrasting emotions in the lyrics.
Ever wondered how a song can capture the essence of love’s highs and lows so perfectly? “Something So Strong” does just that. Keep reading to discover how Crowded House encapsulates the beauty and complexity of love in just a few minutes.
“Something So Strong” Lyrics Meaning
“Something So Strong” starts with: “Love can make you weep, can make you run for cover.” Right from the beginning, the song sets a tone of love’s overwhelming power. It’s not just about the happy, light-hearted side of love, but also its ability to cause deep emotional responses. The song then moves to “Roots that spread so deep, bring life to frozen ground,” symbolizing how love can revitalize and bring new life to something that was once stagnant or lifeless.
The chorus, with its repetition of “Something so strong,” emphasizes the incredible power of love. It’s a force that can “carry us away” or “carry us today,” suggesting that love can be both an escape and a support in the present moment. This duality is a central theme of the song, showing how love can be both uplifting and challenging.
The lyrics “Turning in my sleep, love can leave you cold / A taste of jealousy, is like a lust for gold” explore the darker side of love. These lines acknowledge that love isn’t always easy or happy. It can lead to feelings of jealousy, which are compared to the destructive desire for gold. This analogy highlights the corrosive nature of jealousy in relationships.
In the bridge, “I’ve been feeling so much older / Frame me and hang me on the wall,” the song touches on a feeling of weariness, possibly from the trials of love. The image of being framed and hung on the wall could imply a sense of being stuck or displayed, perhaps a metaphor for how love can make us feel exposed or vulnerable.
The song concludes with a powerful repetition of “Something so strong,” reinforcing the idea that love, in all its forms, is a potent force in our lives.
The Story Behind “Something So Strong”
When Crowded House wrote “Something So Strong,” they were exploring the multifaceted nature of love itself. This song emerged from a place of introspection and observation. It reflects a deep understanding of how love operates in our lives, not just as a source of happiness, but also as a complex emotion that can bring challenges and growth.
The band, particularly its lead songwriter, seemed to be in a reflective state of mind, considering the different ways love impacts individuals. They observed how love can rejuvenate (bringing “life to frozen ground”) and also how it can lead to feelings of jealousy and vulnerability. This perspective suggests an awareness of the personal experiences and observations of love’s dual nature.
“Something So Strong” goes beyond the surface level of romantic love. It delves into the deeper, sometimes darker, aspects of love. The songwriter’s state of mind appears to have been one of contemplation, where they were considering not just their own experiences but also the universal experiences of love’s impact. The song’s lyrics and the emotional depth they convey suggest a thoughtful, introspective approach to songwriting, aiming to capture the true essence of love in all its forms.