Simply put, this song is about the anxiety that is associated with the anticipation of an exciting, important event. This event could be a sexual union, be it a first experience or a reunion with a partner, or it could be a show, or it could be about the nearing completion of an important project. Really any event that would elicit an overwhelming sense of anticipation anxiety.
The bridge, with "if i had your faith..." is meant to explain the deep seeded desire to make this event turn out perfect. At the same time, it gives away the author's lack of confidence and fear of the unknown that are so central to the anticipation anxiety. I think the bridge is key to the understanding of the song, because the author betrays his true feelings of inadequacy by admitting that he is incapable of assuring that the event will go as planned without outside help, or in this case, a stronger faith, or confidence.
I love this song because Robert Smith gets right at the core emotions behind insecurity and anxiety in such a visceral way that his desperation for perfection is palpable. I love Why?'s cover of it as well, because their take on the song involves a much slower, meaningful tempo that Smith never could have done because it would have been far to depressing and would have changed the core emotion of the song from anticipation anxiety to dread.
Simply put, this song is about the anxiety that is associated with the anticipation of an exciting, important event. This event could be a sexual union, be it a first experience or a reunion with a partner, or it could be a show, or it could be about the nearing completion of an important project. Really any event that would elicit an overwhelming sense of anticipation anxiety. The bridge, with "if i had your faith..." is meant to explain the deep seeded desire to make this event turn out perfect. At the same time, it gives away the author's lack of confidence and fear of the unknown that are so central to the anticipation anxiety. I think the bridge is key to the understanding of the song, because the author betrays his true feelings of inadequacy by admitting that he is incapable of assuring that the event will go as planned without outside help, or in this case, a stronger faith, or confidence.
I love this song because Robert Smith gets right at the core emotions behind insecurity and anxiety in such a visceral way that his desperation for perfection is palpable. I love Why?'s cover of it as well, because their take on the song involves a much slower, meaningful tempo that Smith never could have done because it would have been far to depressing and would have changed the core emotion of the song from anticipation anxiety to dread.