Emma
Michael Dunstan Lyrics
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Try your best to try and seem the happiest
Insist you do the best of what you make
It's all a bluff, for a royal fake
How long?
Give it time, you don't know
How to change, oh no
That the clouds of May
Mightn't be here to stay oh
Glimpses of the Emma of old
People change as far as I'm told
Losing it all to try and fit the mold
How long till you start to fold?
Wednesday night, and your best friend is the logo above your breast
Try your best to try and seem the happiest
Insist you do the best of what you make
It's all a bluff, for a royal fake
How long?
Give it time, you don't know
How to change, oh no
Look outside, and you might just realise
That the clouds of May
Might just drift away
The song Emma by Michael Dunstan is a reflective piece on the theme of personal identity and the struggle of trying to fit in. The lyrics describe a character named Emma, who seems to place great importance on appearances and how they are perceived by others. The opening line, "Wednesday night, and your best friend is the logo above your breast" suggests that Emma's clothing choices are a key part of her identity, as she is defined by the brand of clothing she wears. In the following lines, the lyrics suggest that Emma is putting on a facade of happiness and confidence, but it is all a "bluff" and "royal fake."
The chorus of the song repeats the question "How long?" and suggests that Emma is in a state of stagnation, unable to change or move on from her current situation. The lyrics encourage her to "look outside" and realize that the clouds of May may not be permanent, implying that her current struggles are temporary and there is hope for the future.
Throughout the song, the lyrics also touch on the idea that people change over time and sometimes lose themselves in the process of trying to conform to societal expectations. The lines "Glimpses of the Emma of old" and "Losing it all to try and fit the mold" suggest that Emma may have once been true to herself, but has lost sight of who she is in order to fit in with those around her.
Overall, Michael Dunstan's Emma is a poignant commentary on the complexities of personal identity and the struggle to find oneself in a world that often values conformity over individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Wednesday night, and your best friend is the logo above your breast
On a lonely Wednesday night, you find solace in the brand emblem stitched onto your shirt, as if it is your closest companion.
Try your best to try and seem the happiest
You attempt to appear joyful and optimistic, despite your inner struggle.
Insist you do the best of what you make
You keep telling yourself to produce the best work possible.
It's all a bluff, for a royal fake
However, you know deep down that it's all a front, a façade that you put up to present a false image of yourself.
How long?
The burning question that lingers in your mind without a clear answer.
Give it time, you don't know
You recognize that it will take time to unravel and overcome your challenges, and right now, you don't have a clear way forward.
How to change, oh no
While you're aware that you need to change something, you're uncertain where to begin, and the thought of it intimidates you.
Look outside, you might just realise
Perhaps if you step outside, you'll notice something that has escaped you before.
That the clouds of May
The storm clouds that have been plaguing you for some time now, and that have consumed your thoughts and feelings.
Mightn't be here to stay oh
May not be permanent, and there is hope that they will dissipate.
Glimpses of the Emma of old
Reflecting back, you come across traces of your past self.
People change as far as I'm told
It's a known fact that as time passes, individuals evolve and transform, directed by their experiences and circumstances.
Losing it all to try and fit the mold
You realize that you've lost a lot of yourself in trying to conform to societal expectations.
How long till you start to fold?
How much more can you endure before you break down?
Wednesday night, and your best friend is the logo above your breast
Reiterating the sentiment from the beginning, emphasizing the loneliness and longing for connection or companionship.
Try your best to try and seem the happiest
Continuing to put on a cheerful demeanor despite what burdens you.
Insist you do the best of what you make
Pushing yourself to produce excellent work, perhaps hoping to distract yourself from your inner turmoil.
It's all a bluff, for a royal fake
Acknowledging once again that it's all an act, a superficial persona that you use to navigate life.
Contributed by Jayce C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.