Work Together

Song Meaning

The lyrics introduce two distinct figures grappling with internal conflicts. One, driven by "complex plans and high ideals," paradoxically "treats people poorly." Another is paralyzed by "crippling fear, assailing doubt," causing her to blinker her vision. Both seem to miss an ideal state of collaboration. This immediately sets up the central tension: the gap between individual ambition or self-protection and the potential for collective good. The narrator questions if relentless drive is merely a "proxy for a void" someone is ignoring. The repeated refrain, "How good we could have it if we work together," highlights a yearning for a different path, one where shared effort unlocks greater potential. A fascinating shift occurs in the understanding of love. Initially, it's presented as a simple solution, with the speaker feeling "love should be enough to get it easily done." However, this quickly morphs into a more cynical, yet perhaps pragmatic, view: "Maybe love is competition that makes us raise the bar." This redefinition suggests that even in connection, there's an underlying drive for self-improvement, or perhaps a struggle for dominance, rather than pure altruism. The insistent, almost hypnotic repetition of the chorus, especially when contrasted with the individual struggles and the competitive view of love, creates a sense of urgent, perhaps desperate, plea. The lyrics leave the listener with an unsettling question about human nature: can we truly collaborate, or are we fundamentally driven by individual ambition and a competitive form of love? The outro's repeated assertion, "You made me feel like maybe love / Maybe love is competition," solidifies this ambiguous, challenging conclusion.