"Ideals" by Ultravox is a song that explores the themes of disillusionment and the loss of belief in certain ideals. The lyrics suggest that the narrator is reflecting on a situation where they once believed in someone or something, but have now come to realize that it wasn't what it seemed. The song begins by stating that the crying and sadness is over, and there is a sense of moving on. The narrator mentions that they were never wrong in predicting inspiration, implying that they once had hope in something or someone but now realize they were mistaken. The line "You make out you know how it feels, surrounded by suffered ideals" suggests that someone else, possibly the person the narrator believed in, claims to understand their pain and experiences. However, the narrator expresses doubt and questions why it's all over and done with, wondering why they had to defend someone who has lost their reason. Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of realizing that things aren't what they appeared to be. The line "Discovered it's not what it seems" indicates the narrator's realization that their belief or expectation was misguided. The lyrics also mention the choices one makes in life and how tomorrow will be meaningful, urging the listener to laugh instead of cry and not to believe in endings without any belief. The phrase "These worries I've played, what is world worth mean here?" suggests a sense of confusion and contemplation about the value and meaning of the world in relation to their worries and experiences. In the latter part of the song, the narrator mentions that the magic has lost its appeal, possibly referring to the loss of belief or hope in something. The lyrics further express the idea that the narrator believed they understood how it feels, but they end up strangling themselves with their own beliefs and ideals. Overall, "Ideals" presents a story of someone who has been disillusioned and has come to realize that their beliefs and ideals were not as genuine or fulfilling as they once thought. The song encourages introspection and questioning of one's own beliefs and expectations.
