The Joy Formidable's song "Bats" seems to portray the idea of holding onto personal beliefs and ideas despite external pressures or distractions. The lyrics emphasize the importance of individual ideas and how they can fuel a spirited life. The song starts by highlighting the power of ideas, suggesting that they can either be right or wrong, but regardless, they have the ability to pull people in and propel them forward. The lyrics encourage listeners not to be swayed by what others say or let go of their ideas based on someone else's opinion. The lines "We'll simmer down like grey coals on a dying pit, I'll look at you and we'll roll our eyes. Expected" can be interpreted as a reflection of the band's frustration with conforming to societal expectations. The idea of "simmering down" implies suppressing one's thoughts and opinions, while the eye-rolling suggests a sense of disillusionment with the predictability of conformity. The following lines about "torrential waves bringing wishy-washy in their boats" and "you let them in, now enjoy the flood" depict the consequences of allowing external influences to overtake one's own ideas. The lyrics indirectly criticize the choices made in letting others' opinions influence personal beliefs. The chorus "No. It's not me. It's them" indicates a desire to distance oneself from the masses and assert individuality. The hunger for authenticity and uniqueness is emphasized by the shift in focus from "hunger rays" to desiring a "beautiful wife" and wanting to be like her. The repetition of "We keep hanging on" in the chorus suggests resilience and determination to hold onto personal beliefs, despite potential challenges or doubts. The lines "I've got a voice, but the question keeps holding me back" and "I've got a choice, but the choices are getting weaker" express a sense of internal conflict and hesitation. Although the protagonist has a voice and choices, there seems to be a struggle in fully embracing and expressing them. The song concludes with the phrase "I had a reason, but the reason went away," repeated multiple times. This statement could suggest a loss of purpose or clarity, potentially resulting from the overwhelming pressure to conform or the gradual erosion of personal beliefs. Overall, "Bats" by The Joy Formidable appears to explore the challenges of maintaining individuality in the face of external influences and the necessity of staying true to personal beliefs and ideas.
