Sometimes, you just hear that one song that makes every existential thought, worry, question, and every other thing that exists alongside you in this universe and the next, disappear. Everyone has one, for whatever reason. Fast, slow. English, French, Spanish. Rap, opera, afrobeat. You know exactly what I mean.
This is mine.
'Life Eternal'. The philosophical, heartfelt, soul grasping and contemplative song by Swedish rock-band Ghost, or, the singers of TikTok’s 'Mary On A Cross.'
In its 3:28 seconds of existence, 'Life Eternal' touches that one magical part of the soul that wonders what comes next. It feels like a hug from the emotional incarnation of myself, as if every moment of my life was under observation and then used to write this song. So, in that sense I suppose I'm saying 'Life Eternal' was created for me. I know that is completely ridiculous and it was written for the purpose of monetary gain, however, we live in a world of blissful interpretation and ignorance! For every hardship, tear, question or doubt, there is a forever in this song that places a plaster over everything. Not one of those cheap Poundland ones, but a lasting healing tool. Eternity, eh!
I feel, as I've grown up, I've grown comfortable in my style or the ‘vibe’ I present to the world, a little bit silly, with some colour but always soulful. It's the last part that life eternal rooted onto. It's so easy to resonate with silly and colour, just in the everyday world we live in. They do say we are most like the 5 people you’re closest too after all! but the aspect of soulfulness isn't as straightforward. It’s important to note that I never considered myself a traditional religious person, but always believed that the soul and universe were linked. “Would you let me touch your soul, forever?” perfectly encapsulates the (often) addictive nature of trying to understand every aspect of my soul and the universes plan for me, to the very end. A thing I think isn't isolated to just myself. There is a desperation in everyone to understand every square inch of themselves. Ultimately, that is what 'Life Eternal' is about.
The song understands my wish to pull apart my soul and put it back together after intense research, the desire for everlasting connection with oneself. Its haunting melody resembles that of a call back from the soul.
Often, this leads to an existential feeling. You know it, I know it. 'Life Eternal' knows it too. Its creation was a promotion of embracing the moment and combatting the fear of time. Its opening line “Can you hear me say your name forever?” addresses the aspect of the human spirit that desires and pleads with time to avoid impermanence. The belief that if our name is pasted onto the world with impact that impermanence is non existent. Really, it targets the reason we do anything.
Asking what one would do with the grant of eternal life, really, is a question of how much a person celebrates existence. 'Life Eternal' is a celebration of love, lessons, life and connections; helping one to release from the fear of mortality; “this is the moment of just letting go.”
To me, 'Life Eternal' is the reminder of how magical life is. Even in its most melancholy moments, love transcends tangible existence. It's the love letter to mortality, the proof that the cycle has to go on. Let life run its course, celebrate what’s present. Love and connections, forever.