Released: 2012
“Sun” by Two Door Cinema Club is a deeply introspective piece that rides the waves of longing, loss, and the hope of reconciliation. At its core, the song explores the emotional turbulence one feels when separated from someone they love, set against the backdrop of life’s inevitable changes and the passage of time. It’s a track that seamlessly blends the universal with the personal, using vivid imagery to capture a feeling that’s at once unique and universally understood.
The song opens with “Ocean blue / What have I done to you? Cut so deep / Yet growing through and through.” Here, the ocean serves as a metaphor for the depth of the singer’s emotions and the pain of separation. The imagery of cutting deep, yet growing, suggests a relationship that, despite its challenges and pains, continues to evolve and deepen.
“Drawn apart / New York and London” speaks to the physical distance that separates the protagonist from their loved one, symbolizing not just miles but the emotional distance that can grow between people. The reference to “distant drumlins” and the transformation of known roads into a city reflects on how time and distance can change our perception of familiar places and people, making them feel foreign and distant.
In the chorus, “Although I’m far away / I know I’ll stay, I know I’ll stay / Right there with you,” there’s a declaration of unwavering commitment despite the physical distance. The repetition of “I know I’ll stay” emphasizes the certainty in this promise, while “What would you say? What would you do?” poses questions about the loved one’s feelings, introducing a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability.
The verse “I built a hive / Became one with the bees / But we fell like rain / Got lost into the sea” uses the metaphor of a hive and bees to symbolize community and belonging. However, this community falls apart (“fell like rain”), suggesting a loss of connection and direction (“Got lost into the sea”). The line “If I don’t know / The wind will carry me” evokes an image of being adrift, relying on fate to bring them back together, highlighted by “So just hold tight.”
The song builds towards a climax with “Over and over / Many setting suns / I have run / I have waited for the rain to come / When through that mist / I see the shape of you / And I know, and I know / That I’m in love with you.” These lines depict a journey of perseverance and longing, marked by the passage of time (“Many setting suns”) and a yearning for renewal (“waited for the rain to come”). The moment of clarity and realization of love (“I see the shape of you / And I know, and I know / That I’m in love with you”) reaffirms the emotional depth and connection despite the obstacles.
Ultimately, “Sun” by Two Door Cinema Club is a poignant reflection on love, distance, and the enduring hope of reconnection. It masterfully uses lyrical imagery to convey the complex emotions involved in holding onto love across time and space, making it a resonant piece for anyone who’s ever felt the ache of separation mingled with the hope of eventual reunion.
