Meaning of "Nothing Is What It Seems (Without You)" by Saosin

The lyrics of "Nothing Is What It Seems (Without You)" delve into the pain and difficulty of trying to navigate life without someone who has changed and left. The song captures the emotions of heartbreak and longing, as the narrator reflects on the person they are missing. The opening lines, "You look like you're letting go, I know that you won't call on me," suggest a sense of detachment and distance between the narrator and the person they are addressing. Even though the narrator recognizes the changes and the fading connection, their instincts still hold onto hope, hinted by the line "instincts are telling me you're fading out."

The chorus serves as a plea for answers and understanding: "Tell me how am I supposed to live without you? This is all that I remember before you changed." The narrator is grappling with the immense difficulty of moving forward without the person who was once such a significant part of their life. The lyrics also touch on the concept of feeling alone in a dream-like state where nothing is as it seems, emphasizing the narrator's feelings of disorientation and confusion.

The second verse introduces the theme of safety and comfort when the narrator states, "Sometimes it feels like home, so safe in the shade." However, the passing of time brings a sense of emptiness and longing, as expressed by the line, "But when the summer fades, there's always something missing." This contrast highlights the profound impact the person had on the narrator's life and the void left behind after their departure.

The repetition of the question "Tell me how am I supposed to live without you?" underscores the narrator's desperation for answers and guidance. The lyrics bring out a sense of disbelief and sorrow, exemplified in the line, "I never imagined I would feel so low." The heavy emotional weight of the separation is further emphasized by the coming to terms with the harsh reality that life is fundamentally different without the presence of the person they are longing for.

In essence, "Nothing Is What It Seems (Without You)" captures the pain and struggle of living without someone who has left and changed. The lyrics explore the emotional turmoil, the sense of loss, and the difficulty of moving forward when faced with unforeseen change and abandonment. It portrays the longing for answers and a deep longing for the person who was once an integral part of the narrator's life.