How Do We Stay in Love?

Song Meaning

Zak Abel's "FORWARDISM" isn't just a plea; it's an autopsy of a love affair on life support. The song meaning revolves around the agonizing question of how to rekindle a flame that's clearly dying. It's a brutally honest exploration of the drift that inevitably occurs when initial passion fades, leaving behind a chilling void of routine and unspoken resentment. Abel isn't interested in assigning blame. Instead, he lays bare the universal fear of losing that initial spark. The repeated questioning – "How do we stay, stay in love?" – becomes a desperate mantra against the encroaching darkness of emotional detachment. The raw vulnerability in his voice underscores the stakes: not just the end of a relationship, but the death of a shared dream. The lyrics paint a stark picture of a relationship that has devolved into a series of empty gestures. "Everything I do to ya / Never feels new to ya," Abel confesses, highlighting the soul-crushing realization that his efforts are no longer enough. The pre-chorus serves as a post-mortem, dissecting the precise points of failure: "We fell out of synch, touch, rhythm, lust." It’s a frank admission of the gradual erosion of intimacy, the subtle shifts that accumulate until the couple finds themselves strangers in their own bed. The "wandering eye" mentioned in the second verse isn't necessarily a literal act of infidelity, but a symptom of a deeper longing for something more, something that's missing within the relationship. It speaks to the universal human desire for novelty and excitement, and the challenge of maintaining that within the confines of a long-term commitment. Ultimately, "FORWARDISM" is a song about the hard work of love. It acknowledges that staying in love isn't a passive experience; it requires constant effort, communication, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Abel's repetition of the central question emphasizes the uncertainty and the struggle. There are no easy answers, no simple fixes. The song offers no resolution, no triumphant return to the honeymoon phase. Instead, it leaves the listener with the lingering question, forcing them to confront the reality that love, like any living thing, requires constant tending to survive.