Reasons For Silence

A beautiful song and one that I think has an overall display of introversion, embracing solitude and avoiding the mainstream. At least, that’s the feeling I get from it and it’s evidenced by other songs in The Delgados discography with themes of conformity. I don’t really know who the “Ed” in “Ed’s Song” is referring to, but I’d suspect it is named for a real person, perhaps a friend of the band members. For those who prefer a line-by-line breakdown, I’ve attempted to explain it to the best of my understanding:

“Give me an age where I don't know a thing Where black and white offers me peace from the din Bright lights, cat fights, leave me cold”

Yearning for the blissful ignorance of youth and not wanting to dole over the complexities of adult life. Also has a feeling of wanting to avoid conflict or traumatic events that may have led to a life of isolation.

“Recent encounters are telling me why my reasons for silence are so justified I can hear you, please turn down”

Through observing the world and past experiences, the singer has determined that isolation suits them best and they want to avoid the noisy and spontaneous lifestyle of people who are more outgoing.

“All these pretenders pretending to be How do they recognize people they see? Lives by numbers, pass me by”

The song shifts focus slightly to the theme of conformity and how introverts tend to avoid this phenomenon. Conformists taking on fake personas to fit in with others are insincere, therefore the singer questions how any of them can read each other’s actual personalities.

“Centered around what they know isn't true but what is needed for distorted view Try not to think now, you've been warned"

This talks about how conformist types are easily manipulated into believing or doing whatever they are told by the mainstream. The last line is probably from the view of the manipulators, warning people that it’s dangerous to form a mind of their own and that conformity is necessary for success.

“I tried to fake it but I got found out Fakers who fake it are on their way out It's just me but I'll let myself be and the others go free”

In the past, the singer may have attempted to “fit in” by putting up a façade that ultimately failed and served as a lesson. People with conformist lifestyles move on and fade away, sometimes seemingly successfully while leaving non-conformists behind and alone.

“But I know who will win I'm on the outside”

I love how this line changes the tone of the song very quickly. The singer has found peace and confidence in their unique personality and are proud to have avoided falling in line with society. They feel victorious over the mob of brainwashed people who are not true to themselves.

Overall, as an introvert and someone who naturally strays away from the mainstream constantly, I find this song extremely relatable. It’s almost like a more poetic and polite way of saying “REEEEE I hate normies!” haha. I could be wrong, but that is the overall takeaway I get from this piece.