Familiar

Can you walk on the water with I, you and I? "Because your blood's running cold" said the familiar, true to life Can you walk on the water with I, you and I? Or keep your eyes on the road and live there familiar, without you and I It glows with gates of gold, true to life And our love is a ghost that the others can't see It's a danger Every shade of us you fade down to keep Them in the dark on who we are (Oh what you do to me) Gonna be the death of me It's a danger Cause our love is a ghost that the others can't see We took a walk to the summit at night, you and I To burn a hole in the old grip of the familiar, you and I And the dark was opening wide, do or die Under a mask of vermillion (a million) ruling eyes And our love is a ghost that the others can't see It's a danger Every shade of us you fade down to keep Them in the dark on who we are (Oh what you do to me) Gonna be the death of me It's danger Cause our love is a ghost that the others can't see

Composer: Agnes Caroline Thaarup Obel

In-depth Analysis of 'Familiar' by LyricLens AI

Agnes Obel's 'Familiar' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of a relationship that defies conventional boundaries and expectations. It delves into the tension between the comfort of the 'familiar' and the dangerous, hidden nature of a unique, intense love. The song suggests a profound connection that exists outside societal norms, one that others cannot comprehend or accept, symbolized by 'our love is a ghost that the others can't see'.

Central Themes Explored:

Hidden Love & Danger: The lyrics repeatedly emphasize the secretive nature of the relationship and the inherent risk it carries ('It's a danger'). This love is not meant for public display, forcing one partner to 'fade down every shade of us' to keep others 'in the dark'.
Breaking Free from the 'Familiar': The recurring question 'Can you walk on the water with I, you and I?' represents a challenge to abandon the known, safe path and embrace the extraordinary, even if it's perilous. The journey 'to the summit at night' signifies a deliberate act of rebellion against 'the old grip of the familiar'.
Vulnerability & Sacrifice: The line 'Gonna be the death of me' highlights the personal cost and profound emotional toll of sustaining such a clandestine and intense bond. There's a sense of impending doom or sacrifice for the sake of this love.

The imagery of 'gates of gold' and 'a mask of vermillion (a million) ruling eyes' adds layers of symbolism, suggesting both a desired, perhaps unattainable, paradise and the constant surveillance or judgment from the outside world. Ultimately, 'Familiar' is a powerful narrative of a love so potent and unconventional that it becomes a hidden entity, a dangerous, yet irresistible force that challenges the very essence of what is known and accepted.

Q&A & Fun Facts: 'Familiar' by Agnes Obel

What is 'Familiar' by Agnes Obel about?

'Familiar' explores the complexity of a hidden, intense, and potentially dangerous love that stands apart from conventional relationships. It delves into the struggle between maintaining a unique connection and the pressure to conform to societal norms, often emphasizing the secretive nature and the risks involved.

What does 'Can you walk on the water with I, you and I?' symbolize?

This line is a powerful metaphor for taking a leap of faith or embarking on a challenging, perhaps impossible, journey. It represents a test of trust and commitment in a relationship that defies logic and expectations, urging the partner to abandon the safe, familiar path for a more extraordinary, risky one.

Who or what is the 'familiar' referred to in the song?

The 'familiar' can be interpreted as the comfort zone, routine, societal expectations, or the conventional way of living and loving. It's the known path that the unique and hidden love in the song actively tries to break away from, often described as an 'old grip' that needs to be burned away.

Fun Facts:

'Familiar' is featured on Agnes Obel's third studio album, 'Citizen of Glass,' released in 2016.
Agnes Obel herself created both the male and female vocal parts in the song by pitching her own voice down to achieve the male counterpart, adding to the song's ethereal and unique sound.
The album 'Citizen of Glass' generally explores themes of transparency, fragility, and the personal boundaries in modern life, which 'Familiar' perfectly encapsulates with its narrative of hidden love.