The song "Lookaway" by James is about the struggle of pretending to know one's direction in life, while being plagued by fear and uncertainty. The lyrics suggest that the narrator is trying to navigate through life, but feels indifferent and disconnected from their true self. They try to act their age, but the apathy and lack of passion of their generation (referred to as an "age of indifference") makes it difficult. The line "I'm as big as I can dream" implies that the narrator's aspirations are limited by their own beliefs and inhibitions. They often forget about their true nature and fail to forgive themselves, causing them to avoid confrontations or looking at their own flaws. The repetitive repetition of "Look away" highlights the avoidance and denial of facing the truth. The lyrics also touch on a feeling of abandonment and loneliness. The reference to a geisha's indirect gaze suggests a sense of isolation and being detached from others. The line "I don't trust God is on my side" further illustrates a lack of faith or belief in higher powers guiding them. The chorus, repeated several times, emphasizes the crumbling and shattered mirrors as a metaphor for a broken self-image. The "poor plastic clown" symbolizes the fake persona the narrator has adopted to cope with their insecurities and fears. The lyrics suggest that what truly matters is presence and support from others in times of crisis, as represented by the line "You weren't in the building when the walls came crashing down." Overall, "Lookaway" communicates the struggle to find one's true self and overcome fears and insecurities, urging the listener to face reality instead of avoiding it.
