The song "Hiroshima Mon Amour" by Ultravox was released in 1977 and is part of their album "Ha! Ha! Ha!". The lyrics depict a sense of detachment and distance between the speaker and their loved one, emphasized by various imagery and references. The song begins with the lines, "Somehow we drifted off too far, communicate like distant stars." This suggests that the speaker and their partner have become emotionally distant, lacking proper communication and intimacy. The mention of "splintered voices down the 'phone" implies a strained relationship, possibly due to physical separation. The following line, "The sunlit dust, the smell of roses drifts, oh no," evokes a nostalgic image accompanied by a sense of loss or sorrow. It implies that the memories and emotions shared between the speaker and their partner are slowly fading away, as if carried by the wind. The lyrics then introduce the idea of someone waiting behind the door, referencing the unknown and potentially painful aspects of relationships. The line "Hiroshima, mon amour" is a metaphorical expression, referencing the devastating atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. It can be interpreted as a symbol of destruction and the irreversible damage caused by emotional distance and disconnection. The next verse talks about riding inter-city trains dressed in European gray, possibly indicating a monotonous and melancholic routine. The mention of "echo beach" and "a million memories in the trees and sands" suggests that the speaker holds countless cherished memories with their loved one. However, they struggle to let go of these memories and move on, as shown in the line, "How can I ever let them go?" The lyrics then shift to meeting beneath an autumn lake, a surreal image representing a place where only echoes can reach. This emphasizes the inability to fully communicate or connect on a deeper level. The reference to "polaroids of the past" alludes to fragmented and distorted memories, like shattered glass, further illustrating the difficulty in understanding the complexities of the relationship. The line "the sun's so low, turns our silhouettes to gold" suggests the approaching end or decline of the relationship. The sun setting low implies an impending darkness or the end of a chapter. The transformation of their silhouettes to gold represents the beauty and value found in their past experiences together, even though they may be bittersweet. In summary, "Hiroshima Mon Amour" by Ultravox explores the themes of emotional distance, fading memories, and the struggle to let go of past experiences within a relationship. The lyrics employ vivid imagery and references to evoke a sense of longing, nostalgia, and the recognition of the irreparable damage caused by detachment.
