Song Meaning
The lyrics of "Follow Follow" paint a picture of a relationship steeped in confusion and a desperate, almost passive, reliance. The narrator struggles to comprehend the actions of another person, stating, "I just can not see it" and "I just can't belive it" when their possessions are taken. This sense of bewilderment is compounded by an inability to process emotions, as the narrator urges, "Try to feel Not a thing / At least until tomorrow." There's a clear emotional detachment being sought, a temporary reprieve from a painful reality.
The central tension emerges from this dynamic of taking and following, coupled with a profound sense of defenselessness. The narrator feels exposed, "Leaving me defenceless," and burdened by a persistent thought or image, "That I just can't let go." This feeling is so consuming it's described as "a thing on my mind." The repeated question, "If I go, will you follow," underscores a deep-seated insecurity and a need for reassurance, a plea for the other person's presence to anchor them.
The most striking aspect of the writing is the cyclical nature of dependence and the ambiguous offer of reciprocation. The narrator initially states, "If you go, I'll follow," a seemingly straightforward declaration of loyalty or perhaps a resigned acceptance of their place. However, this is later flipped into a question, "If I go, will you follow," revealing the underlying anxiety and the fragile nature of their bond. The repeated phrase "follow follow" acts as a mantra, highlighting the core theme of one person's life being defined by the movements and actions of another, even when the meaning remains elusive.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw portrayal of emotional dependency and confusion. The simple, almost childlike language belies a deep-seated pain and a struggle for control. The ambiguity of the relationship and the narrator's passive yet insistent need for the other person's presence create a compelling portrait of someone adrift, seeking direction and validation through the simple act of following, or being followed.