Yes & No (Live in Hong Kong 2021/22)

Song Meaning

This track opens with a cascade of unanswerable questions, a series of "can I?" scenarios that feel both grand and impossible: kissing fireworks, embracing the whole world. The narrator grapples with doubt, yet the impulse to seek answers, to believe, persists. This immediate tension between skepticism and a yearning for affirmation sets the stage for a deeply felt internal debate. The core of the song lies in the stark contrast between "You say no no no no no" and "I say yea yea yea yea yea." This isn't just a disagreement; it's a fundamental difference in perspective. The narrator suggests that confusion ("heart gets messy") leads to questioning, but the soul's true nature is to love. The repeated plea, "How can I let you know, how much I love you," underscores a desperate need for this love to be recognized and reciprocated, a desire that clashes with the perceived rejection. The lyrics masterfully employ a push-and-pull dynamic, not just between the "yes" and "no," but also in the evolving questions. They shift from abstract impossibilities to more grounded desires for simplicity and letting go. The bridge introduces a powerful shift, moving from personal doubt to a broader, more resilient form of love. It acknowledges that circumstances might change ("if good times don't last"), but the willingness to love remains, requiring generosity from the other person. Ultimately, the song's emotional resonance comes from its honest portrayal of vulnerability in the face of uncertainty. The narrator’s persistent "yea" against the "no" isn't naive; it's a declaration of faith in love's power, even when it’s hard to articulate or prove. The repeated, almost pleading, question about how to convey love highlights the universal struggle of making one's deepest feelings understood and accepted.