The song "Almost Blue" by Joseph Arthur explores themes of loneliness, escapism, and the allure of self-destructive tendencies. The lyrics depict a person who seeks solace in various forms of distraction and self-isolation. The opening lines refer to the person playing with toy soldiers, symbolizing their detachment from reality and the inability to comprehend the consequences of their actions. They make loud noises and decide who wins the war, implying a desire for control and power. Moving on, the person transitions to playing with matches, despite being warned about the potential danger. This represents their indifference towards the negative outcomes of their actions, suggesting that they are willing to risk harm out of sheer boredom. The lyrics mention a hideaway, which could be a physical or metaphorical place where the person seeks refuge from the outside world. It is described as being almost new and almost blue, implying that although the hideaway provides temporary relief, it is not a permanent solution to their underlying emotional struggles. The song takes a turn in the middle, mentioning the person's friends with whom they spend time. They engage in activities together, but still, each individual is trying to escape or find solace in their own way. They desire the temporary distraction but hope that their escape will never truly end. The lyrics then transition to winter, where the mention of snow and crawling over each other could symbolize the destructive path the person and their friends have found themselves on. They are trapped in this cycle, with no other destination to go to. The repetition of the phrase "almost new, almost blue" throughout the song emphasizes the temporary nature of their escape and the underlying sadness that never fully fades away. It also suggests that the person might have hopes of finding something new and different, yet they remain trapped in their repetitive patterns. The final lines repeat the phrase "And you're never going back to there, until you're blue," suggesting that the person is aware that their current lifestyle is unsustainable and destructive. However, they are not ready or willing to confront their emotions and make the necessary changes to find true comfort and fulfillment. Overall, "Almost Blue" delves into the themes of seeking distraction, loneliness, and the inability to break free from self-destructive patterns. It illustrates the allure of escapism, the temporary comfort it provides, but also the underlying sadness that remains.
