Meaning of "Canary Yellow" by Deafheaven

"Canary Yellow" by Deafheaven is a song that encompasses a multitude of emotions and themes within its dreamlike and surreal lyrics. The song opens with the repeated lines, "Staring out onto the earthly, pottery of existence, climbing light vines to heaven, clay ribbons descend, swirl downward against." These lines seem to suggest a contemplation of life, existence, and the cyclical nature of creation and destruction. The imagery of clay ribbons descending and swirling downward signifies a constant process of change and evolution.

The lyrics then introduce the idea of a "metallic swell" which the singer goes against, sailing against the current. This could represent the resistance against conformity and societal expectations. The repeated urging to "go sail, charmer, altruist" implies a call to forge one's own path and challenge the status quo. The mention of being "immersed in thickets" and evolving into charcoal suggests a transformation and rebirth through adversity, emerging as something stronger and more resilient.

The next section of the song brings a shift in imagery, with the introduction of birds, specifically the drifting macaw and lady finch. Birds often symbolize freedom, beauty, and transcendence, and their swooping and crooning through the air can be seen as a manifestation of the desire to break free from earthly limitations. The mention of dipping their feathers "in the death paste of ash water" adds a darker and more mysterious tone, hinting at the juxtaposition of life and death.

The latter part of the song delves into a personal and intense experience of love and desire. The lines "On and on we choke on an everlasting handsome night, my lover's blood rushes right through me" evoke a sense of overwhelming passion and a merging of identities. The night becomes a symbol of eternity, with the lover's blood flowing through the narrator, further emphasizing the intense connection and intimacy between the two.

Overall, "Canary Yellow" is a complex and enigmatic song that explores themes of beauty, transcendence, and the overwhelming power of emotions. It combines vivid and surreal imagery with a sense of longing and the desire for personal freedom and meaning.