Let Down

General CommentProbably the most uplifting song I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. Existential Thom is vocalizing an emotional metamorphasis manifested with the overwhelming feeling of freedom one experiences when they find themselves with nothing left to lose. 'Let Down' picks up where Kafka's 'Metamorphosis' protagonist [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…], a grotesque man-turned-insect, is giving up hope in his life's worth and contemplating whether society would be better off if he were dead. The insect creature, in great despair, eventually decides to die alone in his room. 'Let Down' is so inspiring because Yorke doesn't give up hope; he has faith he will endure the insect stage and the crushing societal torment it brings; one day he is going to develop into a butterfly and be free. Existence precedes essence. Thom isn't looking for anyone's pity as it only ends up drivel. It's useless anyways because he has to do it for himself -- he must break through the artificial identity society has defined for him which he knows will inevitably crumble. He must develop his authentic identity from within so that he may have something of substance to bounce back up off of after his fake world breaks down. Only when his existence is authentic to himself can he have freedom. These are some of the fundamental concepts of existential philosophy.

After the bridge, the final verses of the song make my eyes water every time I hear it. The most beautiful and theraputic emotional catharsis I've ever witnessed:

"You'll know,
You'll know where you are when
You'll know where you are when
Floor collapses floating,
Bouncing back and one day
I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction (you'll know where you are)
Hysterical and useless (you'll know where you are)
Hysterical and (you'll know where you are)"

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