The song "Space" by Hands Like Houses is about feeling suffocated in a relationship and the need for personal freedom. The lyrics convey the narrator's frustration with feeling trapped and tired of constantly battling in the relationship. The opening lines, "I must have walked a hundred miles in these old shoes, I tried to sell my soul, but both of them are worn through," suggest that the protagonist has endured a long, tiring journey in their relationship and has put in a lot of effort to make it work. However, their efforts have been in vain, resulting in their soul feeling worn out. The lines "I always try to pick my battles but I never seem to win one, I've taken chances worse than one in a million" depict the narrator's struggle to find resolution and success in their relationship. They feel like they constantly lose and take risks that are unlikely to pay off. The repeated phrase "I need space" signifies the narrator's desire for personal freedom and distance from the relationship. They feel suffocated and need room to breathe and regain their independence. The lyrics also indicate that the narrator feels guilty for causing harm in the relationship, as they sing, "I must have cut you somewhere underneath the surface, I don't know how, I only know I don't deserve this." They acknowledge that their actions have hurt their partner, but they still believe that they should have the freedom to pursue their own happiness. Despite their desire for space, the narrator admits that they are still on their partner's side, as expressed in the lines, "'Cause I'm still on your side, Yeah, I'm still on your side." This suggests that they care about their partner and their well-being, even though they need space. Overall, "Space" reflects the internal struggle of feeling trapped in a relationship and the quest for personal freedom and independence.
