The official video of this song makes it very clear that this song is about stepping from childhood to adulthood.
FACT: During music introduction, 3D scan of an adult then showing a child inside his torso. Fade-out to the main character.
INTERPRETATION: Clear and strong symbol for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_child, as if the authors wanted the viewer to join their inner child for this part of the video.
The main character is the boy for which the golden age is ending.
FACT: The first stanza matches images of adults peacefully and safely bringing kids to join the whole family in a remote place.
Second stanza, kids playing, adults exchanging smiles.
No lyrics, calm music.
Children playing and learning with mom, with dad, with grandpa, with friend/cousin.
INTERPRETATION: Golden age is childhood. Learning, playing, smiles, no violence.
FACT: Boys spy on a kiss scene, see an altercation between adults, causing puzzlement.
INTERPRETATION: There comes a time when child look for and discovers adult matters, which puzzle.
FACT: A white bird takes off.
INTERPRETATION: White bird is symbol for child innocence. One taking off means childhood is starting to fade away.
FACT: Silence, then different music with rhythm, trumpets, drums. Boy piles soda cans which later get knocked off causing frustration. Arm wrestling, ball sports.
INTERPRETATION: These competitive but non-violent activities symbolize the transition.
FACT: While lyrics say:
"Listen, I can hear the call
As I'm walking through the door"
the boy is lying, his open eyes showing turmoil.
INTERPRETATION: Learning to become an adult requires turmoil periods.
FACT: Third lyrics stanza. Adults and kids in pickup van, ball sports again, playing war with toy guns.
INTERPRETATION: Playing war represents violent adult world.
FACT: lyrics say
"But boys are meant to flee
And run away one day"
INTERPRETATION: Main character (boy) does not physically flee. The childhood is fleeing, meaning childhood is meant to have an end.
FACT: Many white birds takeoff.
INTERPRETATION: Child innocence flees for good.
FACT: Music changes again. Foghorn.
FACT: High trees at night, seen thanks to a moving light of unknown origin.
INTERPRETATION: Foghorn and trees in artificial light represents fear of the change and the unknown.
FACT: Music starts to look like the music at the beginning.
FACT: Main character is meditating, parents are sleeping. He grasps and draws father's hand.
INTERPRETATION: Along with the main character, viewer is brought forward to adulthood. When you are sad or unsettled, remember to maintain the link between generations.
The official video of this song makes it very clear that this song is about stepping from childhood to adulthood.
FACT: During music introduction, 3D scan of an adult then showing a child inside his torso. Fade-out to the main character.
INTERPRETATION: Clear and strong symbol for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_child, as if the authors wanted the viewer to join their inner child for this part of the video. The main character is the boy for which the golden age is ending.
FACT: The first stanza matches images of adults peacefully and safely bringing kids to join the whole family in a remote place. Second stanza, kids playing, adults exchanging smiles. No lyrics, calm music. Children playing and learning with mom, with dad, with grandpa, with friend/cousin.
INTERPRETATION: Golden age is childhood. Learning, playing, smiles, no violence.
FACT: Boys spy on a kiss scene, see an altercation between adults, causing puzzlement.
INTERPRETATION: There comes a time when child look for and discovers adult matters, which puzzle.
FACT: A white bird takes off.
INTERPRETATION: White bird is symbol for child innocence. One taking off means childhood is starting to fade away.
FACT: Silence, then different music with rhythm, trumpets, drums. Boy piles soda cans which later get knocked off causing frustration. Arm wrestling, ball sports.
INTERPRETATION: These competitive but non-violent activities symbolize the transition.
FACT: While lyrics say: "Listen, I can hear the call As I'm walking through the door" the boy is lying, his open eyes showing turmoil.
INTERPRETATION: Learning to become an adult requires turmoil periods.
FACT: Third lyrics stanza. Adults and kids in pickup van, ball sports again, playing war with toy guns.
INTERPRETATION: Playing war represents violent adult world.
FACT: lyrics say "But boys are meant to flee And run away one day"
INTERPRETATION: Main character (boy) does not physically flee. The childhood is fleeing, meaning childhood is meant to have an end.
FACT: Many white birds takeoff.
INTERPRETATION: Child innocence flees for good.
FACT: Music changes again. Foghorn. FACT: High trees at night, seen thanks to a moving light of unknown origin.
INTERPRETATION: Foghorn and trees in artificial light represents fear of the change and the unknown.
FACT: Music starts to look like the music at the beginning. FACT: Main character is meditating, parents are sleeping. He grasps and draws father's hand.
INTERPRETATION: Along with the main character, viewer is brought forward to adulthood. When you are sad or unsettled, remember to maintain the link between generations.
Hope you'll like this.
Just discovered that woodkid explicitly stated the interpretation of golden age as childhood in Interview: Woodkid - "I may call myself an entertainer" | NBHAP (seen in The Golden Age (Woodkid album) ). He also mentions inner child (in French) in Woodkid, l’éternel enfant sauvage dans « The Golden Age » - Gala.
Just discovered that woodkid explicitly stated the interpretation of golden age as childhood in Interview: Woodkid - "I may call myself an entertainer" | NBHAP (seen in The Golden Age (Woodkid album) ). He also mentions inner child (in French) in Woodkid, l’éternel enfant sauvage dans « The Golden Age » - Gala.