symbol (live)

Song Meaning

These lyrics plunge us into a whirlwind of effort and contemplation. The speaker grapples with the relentless march of time and persistent challenges. Yet, a singular source of comfort shines through: another person's smile. The opening lines, "Fly make flea, make haste, make waste, eight makes infinity," immediately establish a frantic, almost dizzying pace. This dense, alliterative wordplay suggests a life lived in constant motion, perhaps with a sense of futility, as efforts to "make breaks" are met with the need to "embrace for the enemy." This struggle is deeply personal, with the speaker feeling time's pressure directly: "Counting time as time counts me," an inversion that powerfully conveys time's ultimate dominion. Amidst this existential wrestling, the chorus offers a profound emotional anchor. "That smile always makes me well" is a direct, uncomplicated statement of healing and solace. This simple image cuts through the complexity of the verses, providing a clear source of strength. The cryptic line, "That's how one returns from two," suggests a journey from duality or separation back to unity, perhaps hinting at the restorative power of this connection. The bridge then delivers the central, striking declaration: "The symbol of your love is time." This statement recontextualizes the very force the speaker has been struggling against. Time, which previously felt like an adversary, is now inextricably linked to love, suggesting that true affection is measured not just in moments, but in enduring presence and shared experience. The lyrics masterfully weave together the abstract and the deeply personal, making the listener feel the weight of time and the lightness of connection.