Meaning of "Islands" by Young The Giant

The lyrics of "Islands" convey a sense of nostalgia and longing for a past romantic relationship. The reference to being underwater and near an island represents the isolation and separation the narrator feels from their ex-lover. The line "Five ways, you were my lover, incantation" suggests that the relationship held a certain magical quality for the narrator.

The repetition of the line "Oh, what if the whole world finds you waiting" reflects the narrator's uncertainty about whether their ex-lover still has feelings for them. The imagery of the "foreign groove at night" hints at the allure and mystery that their ex-lover possessed.

The lyrics also touch upon the theme of missed connection and longing for physical closeness. The lines "Watch it rise and where you hide your pearl, feel the tide low where you cast those stones you wear" allude to the hidden depths of the ex-lover and the emotional barriers they may have put up. The question of whether their ex feels "cold on your bones" when no one's home speaks to the emotional isolation they may be experiencing.

The final lines, "All the years I miss your warmth, have you missed my warmth? On your island," reveal a significant theme of longing for emotional and physical intimacy. The narrator misses the warmth and connection they once had with their ex-lover and questions if their ex feels the same.

Overall, the lyrics of "Islands" by Young The Giant explore themes of longing, nostalgia, and the complexities of past romantic relationships. It captures the pain of separation, uncertainty, and the yearning for connection and intimacy.