Meaning of "Sea Shells (Us-Only Bonus Track" by Sia

The lyrics of "Sea Shells" paint a picture of transience and impermanence, symbolized by the sandcastles being built and destroyed, representing the cycle of creation and destruction inherent in life. The repetition of "All in letters bound in string, life is slowly unravelling" suggests a sense of inevitability and the passing of time. The mention of "Mr. Prince has lost your crown" adds a touch of melancholy and loss, possibly hinting at the fleeting nature of power, privilege, or status. The refrain "She sells empty sea shells lost in the ocean" could be interpreted as a metaphor for selling something devoid of true value, lost or forgotten in the vastness of life's uncertainties.

The imagery of looking through a window at sand and biscuits, cups of tea, evokes a sense of nostalgia and domestic tranquility, juxtaposed against the theme of dissolution and loss. The song captures a feeling of wistfulness, resignation, and acceptance of life's transient nature, as symbolized by the empty sea shells lost in the ocean. Overall, "Sea Shells" conveys a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the fragility of existence, and the inevitability of change.