6.half Day Closing
p Lyrics

The lyrics to Portishead's song Half Day Closing reflect on a past time when the world seemed to be more certain, more predictable, when everybody knew what they wanted. However, that world has changed, and the singer suggests that the present is not as comfortable as it once was. The lyrics reference the 'times of last and low,' perhaps indicating a sense of recession, reduction or regression of economic and personal opportunity. At the same time, the singer suggests a kind of resignation or apathy in the face of these changes, stating that "they don't feel the same." The lyrics suggest that we are perhaps hypnotized by money talks, left choking by the silent song of the business man.

Throughout the song, the singer is grappling with the concept of time and how it impacts our lives. They argue that, no matter what happens, life goes on, and we must find ways to cope with change. There is a sense of disillusionment present in the lyrics, as they suggest that dreams may not be attainable, and the world we inhabit is not necessarily what we would want it to be. However, the singer still holds onto a belief in dreams, stating that they "believe they come." The lyrics of Half Day Closing, therefore, suggest a wrestling with existential questions of purpose, change and the meaning of life, and the creation of an atmosphere of disillusionment and melancholy.