Meaning of "Power" by Marillion

"Power" delves into the complexities of power dynamics within relationships. The lyrics juxtapose the speaker's intense love for someone who doesn't reciprocate with traditional notions of power being associated with physical strength or grand, natural events like tsunamis. The narrator's unacknowledged love becomes their hidden source of power, as they tap into inner strength and resilience. The song suggests that true power lies in emotions, vulnerability, and the ability to love deeply, contrasting it with superficial displays of power like passing laws or creating destruction through natural disasters.

The lyrics also touch upon the theme of unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The speaker's feelings are unreciprocated, leading to a sense of powerlessness and emotional turmoil. However, as the song progresses, the narrator realizes that their love, despite being misunderstood or unacknowledged by the other person, holds a different kind of power that is internal and enduring. The final lines about ten years grinding by in every hour and the metaphor of falling from heaven to hell imply a significant emotional journey and growth through the experience of unrequited love.

Overall, "Power" challenges conventional ideas of power and highlights the strength found in vulnerability, deep emotions, and the ability to love unconditionally. It portrays an introspective exploration of personal power within the context of unreciprocated love and the transformative nature of such experiences.