Song Meaning
The lyrics for "Pelican" are explicitly marked as "[INSTRUMENTAL]". This immediately signals a piece where the musical arrangement, rather than a vocal narrative, takes center stage. Without words, the listener's focus shifts entirely to the sonic landscape.
Given the absence of lyrical content, there's no verbal story or character perspective to unpack. The emotional weight and any potential tension or conflict must therefore reside solely within the composition itself. This structural choice invites a different kind of engagement, one where the listener projects their own interpretations onto the music.
The most striking craft element here is the deliberate decision to forgo a vocal line. This choice, rather than a lack, becomes the defining characteristic, shaping how the piece communicates. It suggests an intention to convey meaning through melody, rhythm, and harmony alone, bypassing the directness of language.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of "Pelican" as a lyrical piece (or lack thereof) is tied to this instrumental designation. It forces an appreciation for music's non-verbal power, where atmosphere and sonic texture replace explicit statements. The "writing" in this context is the compositional structure, designed to evoke feeling without a single spoken word.