Meaning of "Blue" by A Perfect Circle

The lyrics of "Blue" by A Perfect Circle delve into the theme of willful ignorance and the consequences of avoiding truth. The repeated phrases of "I didn't want to know" and "Didn't want" reflect the speaker's desire to remain in the dark and not confront the reality of a situation. By choosing to keep things in the shallow end, the speaker implies their fear of deeper emotional commitment or vulnerability. The reference to not knowing how to swim suggests their lack of skills or experience in navigating complex emotions and relationships.

The speaker admits to closing their eyes just to look at the object of their admiration. This demonstrates their willingness to turn a blind eye to any flaws or negative aspects in order to maintain an idealized image of the person. They ignore the smoke, which could symbolize problems or issues, and choose to focus on the external beauty or appearance instead.

The repeated line "Call an optimist, she's turning blue" presents an interesting paradox. While an optimist is typically associated with positivity and hope, the fact that she's turning blue implies a suffocation or detriment caused by the denial and avoidance of the truth. The speaker acknowledges this color as "lovely" and "perfect" for the person they are fixated on, highlighting the speaker's willingness to accept whatever form the truth takes, even if it leads to harm.

The last line, "I don't want to know," reinforces the speaker's resistance to facing reality. It suggests a fear of the potential pain or emotional turmoil that may come with acknowledging the truth. They prefer the blissful ignorance of not knowing, even if it means sacrificing their own well-being and living in a state of emotional detachment.

Overall, "Blue" emphasizes the destructive nature of willful ignorance and the consequences of avoiding truth. It explores the challenges of facing reality head-on and choosing to dive deep into emotions and relationships, contrasting it with the allure of living in a state of denial and superficiality. The lyrics shed light on the human tendency to resist facing uncomfortable truths and the potential price paid for such avoidance.