"The Beauty Surrounds" by Houses is a melancholic song that delves into themes of loss, longing, and the fleeting nature of love. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship on the decline, symbolizing the deterioration and eventual demise of the singer's connection with their loved one. The opening lines convey a sense of desperation as the singer mentions having something precious within them, represented by the metaphorical "gold in my bones." However, they feel the need to extract that essence, represented by "pulling out my teeth," and bury it underground. This could suggest a symbolic act of letting go or hiding away their true feelings. The following lines depict the fading light in the other person's eyes, signaling their declining health or well-being. The singer acknowledges this and decides to venture out alone, possibly implying that they are ready to move on and face the world without their partner. The chorus speaks of a profound loss. The singer's love is likened to water circling the drain, gradually slipping away and unable to bring their loved one back. The phrase "wasting away" emphasizes the sense of decay and emotional deterioration. The pulled flowers at their feet represent the broken promises or hopes that lie abandoned, lost in the wind. As the song progresses, the singer mentions a ghost in the sky and in their fields of stars. This ethereal presence may symbolize the lingering memories or remnants of the lost relationship. They continue to search for solace through nature, allowing the wind to guide them as they sing their hymns in the dark. The repeated chorus reaffirms the futility of the singer's love in bringing their loved one back. The final lines, "Oh my God, I'm wasting away, pulled flowers at my feet, lost in the wind," reiterate the feeling of being consumed by grief and feeling adrift in the midst of loss. Overall, "The Beauty Surrounds" explores the pain and desolation that can accompany the breakdown of a relationship. It captures the bittersweet beauty of love and the subsequent struggle to cope with its loss.
