Rosalind Schonwald

DETACHED

Thematically, this song suggests detachment—in terms of a very unfeeling rhythm at the beginning, as well as a melody that refuses to move in conjunction with the chords. Although I consider this song to have a refrain, it is more like a different section, or a different worldview occupied the singer at the moment. The theme of space (or the ‘medical’) is inspired by a sometimes-cold side of academia. The existence of emotions can sometimes seem to run contrary to cold hard data. Within the song, I think the very different section in the middle sort of swells up and then disappears, implying the existence of a state or feelings despite their lack of appearance in any direction.

Lyrics

DETACHED — Rosalind Schonwald

I have come to see my body as oddly medical.
Existence is just technical.
I think therefore I am a synapse quivering in space.
My mind is attached to a string,
Floating up above everything,
Like balloons you release that race past ozone to sun’s flames.

Emotions are untenable.
My Reasoning is questionable.
I’ve been unhinged; I’m breakable.
I’m living through a screen.
I’m mentioning unmentionables.
Breaks taboos of our former selves.
Feel apathy as earth stands still.
Remember what has been?

Engulfed by empty darkness,
I try to think of light,
And I bask in transient night,
Where I stumble swift and softly.

Collapsed in the moon’s orbit,
The light moves me to flight
And I reach unearthly height
And tethers collapse off me.

And the moon cradles me up.
Low gravity is so slow,
And there’s nowhere urgent to go.
I’m detached perhaps I will float.

I hear a voice speak.
I feel earth under my feet.
I feel a heart beat.

I have come to see my body as oddly medical.
Existence is just technical.
I think therefore I am a synapse quivering in space.
My heart is attached to a string,
Floating up above everything.