Hide and Seek Case

Kevin Curtis

Hide and Seek

The song we chose is "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap. The song was released in 2005, originally as the lead single off of Heaps debut solo album 'Speak for Yourself. It was also featured in the second season finale of the FOX television show 'The O.C.' during a tense scene between the lead actors. Written from the point of view of a woman, in the wake of her divorce, this song is full of what seems to be feelings of pain, loss, heartache and realization. Taking a closer look at this song there are also hints at the lyrics true meaning. How does one go on when betrayal is all that is felt? How does one pick of the pieces of a Love gone wrong, when the pieces are yet to be discovered? Ultimately the realization of the end of what used to be and what can be is at the very forefront of this song.

As the song begins Heap expresses her sadness and shock of the end of a marriage or relationship. The first lyrics of the song, "Where are we? What the hell is going on?"(Heap 1) show the narrator's confusion and utter astonishment over what is going on. She walks into a half empty room where her belongings are mysteriously missing. Commenting on the sudden departure of what was once her life she sings "This can't be happening" (Heap 5). Throughout the song the overwhelming feeling of the reality of her situation, being that her spouse has left, and was never truly committed to the relationship. By the end of the song the hatred toward her partner becomes more apparent, and in essence turns her cold and ultimately leads to her swearing off love and marriage all together.

The title "Hide and Seek" is, clearly a reference to the childhood game that many would be familiar with. In reference to the song it also can refer to the "game of love". Seeking out love, and hoping to eventually find that love is the ultimate game that is being played. Wanting love, or finding someone to love is seemingly the definitive goal in life. Being able to find that one individual that people feel they have longed for, or searched their lifetime for is the reward at the end of the journey. This is one central theme that is carried on throughout the song. One can take away the idea that now that the Narrators love has gone away, perhaps she has wasted her time on the game of love.

As the song continues the theme of love versus loss is also at the forefront of the Narrators thoughts. Heap writes "All those years they were here first" (Heap 9). In this particular line of the song she remembers the previous happy times in her marriage, their importance to her. Emphasizing the feeling of the loss of the love she invested into this relationship. In lines 10-11, "Oily marks appear on walls/ Where pleasure moments hung before" (Heap 10-11), again the reflection of all the memories shared between her lover and herself are now gone, as if they never existed. Removed are the pictures and former relics of their marriage.

Another resounding theme that can be felt is the overall effects of a divorce on an individual. It is a proven fact that 50% of marriages end in divorce ("Divorce Statistics"). Heaps words in lines 12-13 "The takeover, the sweeping insensitivity of this/still life" (Heap 12-13), at this point the realization of the impeding end of her marriage has hit her. It seems as though she is being completely thrown away. The phrase "sweeping insensitivity" gives the reader the feeling of an almost instant change of what used to be her life. In a flash nothing seemed as it had been before, and everything will never be the same again.

The use of symbolism in not just this song, but in most songs today is very apparent. It not only enhances the writers' words but gives the reader a reference point to what is going on in the writers thoughts. Heap uses strong symbolism in lines 2-3 "The dust has only just begun to form/ crop circles in the carpet, sinking, and feeling" (Heap). The lyrics convey a sense that this relationship, although established, is also very new. There hasn't been enough time for the furniture in the apartment to leave a "crop circle" or an impression on the carpet. The marriage wasn't given time to allow the dust to settle, in effect preventing future memories and moments to be established.