The song "Chemicals" by John Mark McMillan explores themes of love, loneliness, and the search for eternal youth. The lyrics compare love to chemicals and melodies, highlighting the transient nature of both. The song begins by describing a room as a lonely place with a limited view, where the porch lights grow dim as time passes. The stars, which symbolize hope and possibility, seem finite and insignificant to the person experiencing the loneliness. The first verse suggests that love is different from chemicals because chemicals don't stay around. People are constantly searching for a fountain of youth, hoping to find a way to preserve their youthfulness, but often end up losing years in the process. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the futile quest for everlasting youth. The second verse compares love to a melody that can become exhausted, lacking friends and recognition. The imagery of birds not singing in the winter and only singing in the day further emphasizes the fleeting nature of joy and happiness. The chorus repeats the idea that love is not like chemicals or melodies because they don't hang around. Despite the widespread desire for eternal youth, sometimes people get lost or drown in their pursuit, possibly alluding to the negative consequences of obsessing over youthfulness. The song concludes by expressing a desire to love someone even when things are difficult. The line "when the blood of my veins don't know how to call out your name" suggests that even when things are tough, the desire to love and be loved remains. The song ends by reiterating that love is not like chemicals because chemicals don't hang around, and even though people keep searching for a fountain of youth, sometimes they get lost or drown in their pursuit. Overall, "Chemicals" conveys the idea that love is different from transient things like chemicals and melodies. It can endure through tough times and is not dependent on external factors such as youth and popularity.
