The song "Without You" by Empire of the Sun is a love song that conveys the intense emotions and dependency someone feels towards their partner. It touches upon the idea that without their significant other, everything in life loses its meaning and substance. The lyrics emphasize a sense of emptiness and lack of purpose when apart from the person they love. The opening lines describe a world without shape, energy, or even basic sensations like heat. This signifies the emptiness and void the narrator experiences when they are not with their loved one. The lyrics further express the feeling of yearning and dependence. The absence of a future, past, slow or fast pace, grace, face, symmetry, and desire highlights the incompleteness, lack of fulfillment, and lack of direction that exists without their partner. The mention of sirens and police suggests a chaotic and unstable environment, symbolizing the narrator's emotional state when separated from their loved one. The chorus repeats the line "I get that feeling when we're apart." This line encapsulates the central message of the song; the narrator cannot function or feel whole without their partner by their side. The teaching they mention could be seen as a realization of this dependency, acknowledging that they cannot be without their loved one. The overall meaning of the song is a declaration of deep love and reliance on another person. It explores the idea that love brings purpose, fulfillment, and warmth to life. Without their partner, the world feels empty and meaningless. The catchy chorus and energetic production create a sense of longing and desperation, highlighting the emotional intensity conveyed throughout the song.
