Song meaning of HAUNTED by Arankai

The song "Haunted" by Arankai explores the lingering pain and emotional turmoil that accompanies the end of a significant relationship. The lyrics depict the protagonist's struggle to move on and the haunting presence of memories from the past.

In the first verse, the messy bedsheets and whiskey stains symbolize the chaos and remnants of the relationship. The act of keeping a cigarette burning to observe the shadows and smoke represents a longing to hold onto the remnants of what once was. The echo in the hall suggests the lingering presence of the past, which has disrupted the protagonist's peace. The line "Not that I feel anything" reflects a state of emotional numbness and detachment.

The chorus emphasizes the recurring theme of being haunted, as the ghost of the former relationship dances above the protagonist's bed. The mention of being drunk on a memory and hungover from the misery portrays the intoxicating effect that reminiscing about the past has on the protagonist's state of mind.

The second verse delves into the altered self-perception and self-identity that often follows a breakup. The protagonist no longer recognizes their own reflection and feels out of touch with their previous self. The use of the cassette playing in the car, despite skipping in places, reflects the attempt to hold onto cherished memories. However, these memories no longer provide the same comfort or feeling as before.

The breakdown section conveys the profound loss experienced by the protagonist as they acknowledge the end of their forever at midnight, suggesting a definitive point of separation. The final chorus expresses the physical and emotional toll the breakup has taken. The protagonist acknowledges that there is no cure for the pain of losing someone and predicts that even after a thousand years, they will still be in love with the person they lost.

Overall, "Haunted" conveys a message of enduring heartbreak and the struggle to let go of a past love. The lyrics capture the bittersweet nature of reminiscing about memories while simultaneously feeling haunted and consumed by the pain of the breakup.