☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a relationship breaking apart and the feelings of loneliness and isolation associated with it.
- The singer expresses his frustration that his partner has no right to ask about his feelings or speak kindly to him after cheating on him.
- It is emphasized that there was no possibility for compromise and that is why they now live separate lives.
- The song addresses the difficulty that love can lead to isolation and building a wall to protect oneself.
- It is about the loss of trust, the difficulty of letting go, and the loneliness that comes with the end of a relationship.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Separate Lives" by
Phil Collins is about a relationship that falls apart and the associated feelings of loneliness and isolation. The singer speaks from the perspective of a person who has been betrayed by their partner and now has to deal with the consequences.
In the first part of the song, the singer describes how their partner calls them from a hotel room and tells them about a new romantic encounter. The partner apologizes for leaving so quickly and says that they will sometimes think of them when they are alone in the room. However, the singer questions if they are also lonely.
In the chorus of the song, the singer expresses their frustration that their partner has no right to ask about their feelings or speak kindly to them after betraying them. They can't just move on and hold onto the past. Now they live separate lives.
The singer has tried to hold onto the relationship and let go of their partner, but they realize that their partner never showed their love for them. There was no possibility of compromise, and that's why they now live separate lives.
The song lyrics also address the difficulty that love can lead to isolation. The singer talks about building a wall to protect themselves. That wall becomes stronger to overcome the loneliness.
Overall, the song lyrics of "Separate Lives" describe the emotional turbulence of a relationship falling apart and the efforts to deal with the pain of separation and lead separate lives. It's about the loss of trust, the difficulty of letting go, and the loneliness that comes with the end of a relationship.