The lyrics of "Empty" by Enter Shikari tell a story of heartbreak and emptiness. The song begins with the metaphor of a blank sheet of paper, symbolizing the potential for expression and emotion. However, the protagonist finds themselves unable to pour their heart out because someone they loved has taken it away, as if it was in their back pocket, leaving them feeling helpless and scared. The use of television remote controls as a metaphor in the song suggests that distractions cannot save the protagonist from self-destruction. They find themselves alone and vulnerable under scented quilts, longing for the presence of their lost love. The absence of the other person's cries for help, represented as lower case screams, intensifies the feelings of helplessness. The repetition of feeling helpless and scared in the chorus emphasizes the emotional turmoil the protagonist is experiencing. The exclamation “Whoa!” further emphasizes the intensity of their pain. Towards the end of the song, there is a plea for someone to come and join the protagonist, as the place they are in feels empty. They long for companionship and an escape from their emotional emptiness. The repetition of the line "Come now and leave with me, this place is almost empty" reinforces their desire for connection and the need to fill the void within them. Overall, "Empty" tells a story of loss, longing, and emptiness, exploring the emotions and struggles faced when someone takes away your heart and leaves you feeling alone and empty.
