Meaning of "The People That We Love" by Bush

The lyrics of "The People That We Love" convey a sense of introspection and contemplation about the destructive tendencies that exist within relationships and how our actions can have lasting consequences. The repeated mention of "speed kills" serves as a metaphor for the rapid pace at which we navigate through life, often neglecting the emotions and needs of those we care about. The lyrics suggest that this speed can cause harm and lead to a breaking point.

The song also delves into the idea of feeling disconnected and like an outsider. The mention of a foreign land and the reference to a refugee highlights the feeling of displacement and not belonging. This could be interpreted as an exploration of feeling isolated within a relationship or society as a whole.

The chorus emphasizes the destructive nature of our actions towards the people we love. It reflects on the tendency to break something that took time to build, possibly referring to the breakdown of a relationship or the damaging impact of our choices on the world around us. The repeated line "The things we do to the people that we love" suggests a sense of regret or realization of the negative consequences of our actions.

On a deeper level, the lyrics could also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition, highlighting our capacity to harm and destroy even those closest to us. It speaks to the complex and often destructive nature of relationships and the fragility of the world we have created.