Triumph
This Heat Lyrics
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why is it i can't see through to you?
the mesh it is in your favour
(under my steady gaze)
how will you move
(frozen mid-step)
when the angles are reversed?
(you cannot move)
triumph of the will
triumph of the will
The lyrics of Triumph by the band This Heat reflect a sense of distance and separation in a relationship, as one person tries to understand the other but fails to connect. The opening lines, "through dirty net curtains you look at me, why is it I can't see through to you?" expresses how one seeks to see the other person clearly but cannot. The "mesh" that is in the other person's "favor" shows that there is a sense of impasse that the singer finds difficult to overcome. The repeated line, "triumph of the will," suggests that there is a sense of power struggle at play, and that each person is determined to emerge victorious over the other.
The lyrics are cryptic in their meaning, but they reflect a sense of frustration, distance, and isolation that one may experience in a strained relationship. The song's title and repetition of the phrase "triumph of the will" may also be interpreted as a commentary on fascist ideologies, as the phrase was famously used by Nazi propaganda filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl in her film of the same name. Overall, This Heat's Triumph encapsulates a sense of conflict and power dynamics in personal and political relationships alike.
Line by Line Meaning
through dirty net curtains you look at me
I notice you staring at me through these grimy curtains.
why is it i can't see through to you?
Despite your intense gaze, I still can't quite figure you out.
the mesh it is in your favour
The fabric of these curtains work to your advantage, shielding you from me.
(under my steady gaze)
As I observe you closely and steadily.
how will you move
I wonder how you will act or react.
(frozen mid-step)
You seem to be halted or stuck in your movement.
when the angles are reversed?
If our positions were swapped, how would you react then?
(you cannot move)
You are unable to budge or evade my watchful eye.
triumph of the will
The victory of one's determination and drive.
triumph of the will
The ultimate conquest of the mind and its ability to overcome obstacles.
Contributed by Cameron R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.