"The Ocean of the Sky" by The Used explores themes of war, isolation, and self-discovery. The lyrics depict a narrator who hopes for the end of a war and desires to return home. However, they feel distant and disconnected, finding solace in their loneliness. The opening lines suggest that if there was a war, the narrator hopes their side emerged victorious. They mention a little boy waiting alone with a lever, possibly symbolizing the destructive power of war. To escape this destructive environment, the narrator decides to construct a metaphorical ship to navigate the vastness of the sky to find their way back home. Feeling far from home, the narrator experiences a sense of freedom. They have never been left alone for such a long time and find comfort in the detachment. Despite feeling detached, they acknowledge the need for meaning in their life, even if they pretend to understand it. The mention of a hand and slavemaster implies a power dynamic and exploitation. The narrator observes that men resemble pigs, suggesting that people can display greedy and selfish behavior. This observation is further emphasized when the blind man, representing vulnerability, encounters the same hellish journey as the narrator. Surprisingly, the narrator discovers their own mother alongside the blind man, suggesting that even loved ones can be caught in oppressive circumstances. The narrator then recalls an encounter with someone who seemed innocent and childlike, but their sigh carries a weight that could emotionally devastate them. In the person's face, the narrator reflects on the destructive nature of their own circumstances, symbolized by the infernal canopy. Overall, "The Ocean of the Sky" presents a reflection on the aftermath and consequences of war, the longing for home, and the loneliness and detachment that can arise from such experiences. The song prompts introspection about meaning and the search for connection in a seemingly chaotic world.
