Meaning of "Tongues" by Joywave

"Tongues" explores themes of isolation, miscommunication, and feeling like an outsider. The lines "Sometimes I feel like they don't understand me / I hear their mouths making foreign sounds / Sometimes I think they're all just speaking tongues" highlight the protagonist's frustration and difficulty in connecting with others. The reference to being welcomed back to town and wanting to know what has happened while they were away suggests a desire for belonging and feeling left out from experiences shared by others. The repeated lines that the palms are down symbolize the protagonist's acceptance of their situation and their willingness to try and understand, but they still feel misunderstood. The lyrics also touch on the idea of the protagonist being the chosen one, but realizing that they are not alone in their struggles and that there is no one to save them if there is no place to escape. Overall, the song speaks to the universal human experience of feeling disconnected and struggling to find common ground with others.