Meaning of "Setting Suns" by Passenger

The lyrics of "Setting Suns" by Passenger delve into the theme of the passage of time and the desire to attain something that seems unattainable. The setting sun serves as a metaphor for various aspects of the narrator's life. At the beginning of the song, the narrator describes standing outside their house and witnessing the daylight fading, presenting a literal depiction of time passing. The sky's redness and the voice inside the narrator's head create a sense of unease, highlighting the fleeting nature of life.

The chorus reveals the central message of the song, as the narrator confesses to spending their life chasing after setting suns. This metaphor represents the pursuit of dreams, goals, and aspirations that always seem to elude them. The imagery of "running up the hill when evening comes" portrays a relentless effort to catch up with what they desire, only to find that it slips away the faster they run. This reflects a common experience of individuals who constantly strive for something greater, only to feel unsatisfied as they realize that the destination they seek keeps getting further away.

As the song progresses, the narrator finds themselves sitting by the ocean, symbolizing a moment of reflection and contemplation. They observe the seabirds fishing and the sunlight glistening on their English home, prompting memories of the experiences and places they have encountered throughout their life. The juxtaposition of the city skylines and the fields of green suggests a contrast between ambition and a simpler, more peaceful existence.

Ultimately, the lyrics convey a sense of weariness and resignation. The repetition of "I'm getting old and tired of chasing setting suns" emphasizes the narrator's exhaustion from their constant pursuit. They have reached a point where they question the value of chasing after things that seem impossible to grasp. The song speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with the passage of time, the search for meaning, and the awareness of one's own mortality.