Black
The Street Lyrics

The Streets’ song “Black” exhibits a reflection on heartbreak and its lasting effects on the singer. The first line, “I look to the heavens, wonder where you are,” sets the tone of the song and establishes the longing felt for someone who has left. The following line, “I had to learn, it’s better when we’re apart,” implies that the singer has come to the realization that separation is blissful, even though it is difficult. The line “you exploded and left a black hole in my heart” is an interesting use of a metaphor to depict the immense pain and hurt felt after a breakup. It exemplifies the void left behind from the departed lover, which is echoed in the following verses.

The next couple of verses revolve around the theme of space, with lines like “The sun burns bright in the reflecting moon” and “Among the comets and the shooting stars.” This space imagery emphasizes the vast emptiness and isolation that the singer feels after heartbreak. The line “It’s just a symptom, of the black hole in my heart,” restates the metaphor and shows how the singer’s heartbreak is at the core of this theme.

The final verse introspects the possibility of whether the departed lover has experienced the same behavior, signifying parallel trauma. The lines “The clouds have come, the moon and sun are gone, On a cold wind blowin', you drift on alone” reflects the singer's thoughts on the current state of the departed lover, and if that person too, is struggling with their aftermath of the broken relationship. The ultimate line, “And I wonder, is there a black hole in your heart,” showcases the vulnerability of the singer and his/her inability to move forward.