Released: 2014
“The Chemicals Between Us” by British rock band “Bush” is a riveting musical confession of love, confusion, and the innate chemistry that can pull two people together. The track, steeped in an intoxicating mix of grunge and alternative rock, addresses the frustration, odd satisfaction, and undeniable loneliness that stems from a relationship trapped by both a metaphorical and literal ‘chemical’ barrier.
The first verse wields relatable yearning and uncertainty as it waves the flag of surrender to overwhelming feelings. The line, “A love so full it could send us all ways”, can be interpreted as a love so intense it can both unite and separate. When Gavin Rossdale sings, “I know that’s a pisser, baby”, ‘pisser’ here is British slang for something that’s quite annoying or disappointing. In this context, he’s expressing frustration over his inability to control or fully comprehend these emotions.
The chorus, “The chemicals between us. The walls that lie between us. Lying in this bed. The chemicals displaced. There is no lonelier state”, serves as the crux of the song’s message. The “chemicals” can be a metaphor for the complex emotions, passion, and impalpable connection between two people. The “walls” symbolize the barriers keeping them apart, be it physical distance or emotional disconnect. The line “lying in this bed” sets a scene of intimacy while the “lonelier state” reflects the desolation felt despite the physical closeness.
With the repetition of “I want you to remember” in the second verse, Rossdale seems to insist on an emotional recall, a retrospective journey into shared memories and joint experiences. The “driven word like a hammer, hell to my head” indicates hard-hitting, caustic conversations that still reverberate, crafting an echo chamber of residual hurt.
The stanza, “We’re of the hollow men. We are the naked ones. We never meant you harm. Never meant you wrong”, references T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Hollow Men”. It conveys human vulnerability and the unintentional damage that can result from actions driven by these ‘chemicals’ – our raw, unfiltered emotions.
The concluding lines, “And I’d like to thank all of my lovers, lovers, lovers”, seem to merge appreciation and regret. The repeated “lovers” could signify a chronic history of relationships, each leaving an indelible mark, all contributing to the current state of emotional turmoil.
Overall, “The Chemicals Between Us” can be seen as a raw exploration of a tumultuous love affair intertwined with a labyrinth of uncontrollable emotions. It’s a vivid reminder that the dance of love often weaves patterns of ecstasy and agony against the backdrop of our shared human chemistry.
