The song "Headphones" by Jars of Clay is about trying to shut out the negativity and noise in the world around us by putting on headphones and listening to music. The lyrics suggest that sometimes the world is too heavy to bear and that we might want to escape from it all. The song talks about how music can help numb the pain and how sometimes we just don't want to face reality. The song also touches on the idea that people often don't want to listen to each other's problems, even if they might be able to help. The narrator sees someone who looks sad on the subway but doesn't reach out to offer help because they don't want to hear their story and deal with their pain. The lyrics acknowledge that sometimes we just need to be alone with our thoughts and music to cope with the heaviness of the world. Overall, "Headphones" is a commentary on the state of the world and how we cope with it. It suggests that sometimes we need to shut out the noise and negativity to survive, but also acknowledges that this can lead to isolation and disconnection from others.
