The lyrics of "1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience depict a dystopian world consumed by war and destruction. The protagonist, along with their love interest, Catherina, decides to take one last walk to the sea, symbolizing a desire to escape the chaos and be reborn. The song highlights the devastation caused by warfare, describing the constant bombardment and its painful consequences. The imagery of pencil and lip-stick tube-shaped bombs raining down symbolizes the destructive power and senseless violence of war. The Arctic stains turning from silver blue to bloody red signify the loss of innocent lives and the transformation of the pristine environment into a gruesome battleground. The chorus reflects the despair and hopelessness of the situation. The protagonist questions if there is a way to fix the mess that humanity has created. The repetition of "forever" emphasizes the despair felt due to the everlasting nature of war. The lyrics also touch upon the theme of human progress and its limitations. The protagonist mentions friends who cannot be with them, suggesting that those who trusted in technological advancements and built the war machines are unable to escape the consequences of their actions. The line, "the machine that we built would never save us," conveys the realization that the weapons created by humans only fuel the destruction. However, there is a glimmer of hope and defiance within the song. The protagonist and their love make love in the sand, symbolizing a final act of intimacy and connection before descending into the underwater world. The act acknowledges the transience of life on dry land and embraces the unknown. As the lyrics mention bidding farewell to their machine, it suggests that the protagonist and their love have found a way to leave their destructive world behind. The starfish and giant foams greeting them with a smile signify a peaceful and welcoming underwater existence. The out of style noise signifies the oppressive and outdated systems they are leaving behind. Overall, "1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)" explores themes of war, escape, technological limitations, and the possibility of finding refuge in a different realm. It offers a commentary on the destructive tendencies of humanity and the yearning for a better, peaceful existence.
