Hopelessness
Anohni Lyrics

The lyrics to Anohni's song Hopelessness reflect a feeling of hopelessness towards the state of the world, specifically in relation to the destruction of nature and the consequences of human actions. The opening lines highlight the singer's confusion and remorse, questioning how they have become the agent of destruction despite their past actions of nurturing and caring for nature. The use of the word "virulence" suggests a sense of danger and toxicity.

The second stanza contrasts the singer's former connection to nature with their current state of being a "virus." The image of curling in a cave and gathering wood for fire presents a picture of a simpler, more natural way of life, while becoming a virus suggests a sense of pervasiveness and harm. The repetition of the question "How did I become a virus?" highlights the singer's confusion and self-blame.

The chorus uses the repetition of the phrase "hopelessness" to emphasize the overwhelming feeling of despair and the inability to see a way out of the destruction. The singer then turns their attention to the animals and trees, emphasizing their plight and lack of agency in the face of human destruction.

The final stanza reflects on the singer's personal role in contributing to the destruction, acknowledging their selfishness and complicity in a system that exploits nature for profit. The line "I've been living a lie" suggests a sense of awakening or realization, but the repetition of the chorus and the final line "We blew it all away" emphasizes the bleakness of the situation and the sense of irreversibility.

Overall, the song expresses a sense of guilt, despair, and hopelessness in the face of environmental destruction caused by human actions.