Shawn Mendes's song "What The Hell Are We Dying For?" delves into the tumultuous landscape of a relationship teetering on the edge, probing the essence and relevance of persevering through chaos and uncertainty. Through evocative lyrics, Mendes sketches a vivid tableau of internal strife and emotional turmoil, depicting a protagonist ensnared in a web of confusion and desperation.
The song commences with the chilling lines "Smoke in the air, the city's burnin' down / I wanna speak, but I don't make a sound," casting a haunting pall over the narrative by juxtaposing external calamity with internal silence. Mendes adeptly captures the profound sense of helplessness and inertia often synonymous with periods of upheaval within a relationship, where attempts at communication seem futile against the backdrop of turmoil.
Throughout the composition, Mendes grapples with the notion of salvaging the relationship amidst seemingly insurmountable odds. Lines such as "Locked in my mind, you're all I think about / I wanna save us, but I don't know how" illuminate the protagonist's inner conflict and fervent desire to mend what's fractured, even in the face of ambiguity regarding the path forward.
The chorus emerges as a poignant meditation on the relationship's trajectory, posing existential inquiries regarding its essence and relevance. "If we don't love like we used to / If we don't care like we used to / What the hell are we dying for?" encapsulates the song's overarching motif, prompting reflection on the rationale for persisting in a union where love and connection have waned.
Mendes delves into the visceral struggle between relinquishing and holding on, acknowledging the trepidation and ambiguity inherent in both choices. Lines such as "I try to let you go, then I choke / I change my mind" encapsulate the internal tug-of-war between resignation and desperation as the protagonist grapples with the notion of existence sans their partner.
In the song's denouement, Mendes contemplates the desolation of existence without the other, underscoring the profound impact they wield in his life. "Livin' without you / It's not livin' at all" poignantly underscores the depth of emotional connectivity shared between the individuals, notwithstanding the trials they confront within their relationship.
Ultimately, "What The Hell Are We Dying For?" emerges as a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the intricate fabric of human connections. It confronts the unyielding realities of navigating a relationship amid adversity, while also acknowledging the transformative power and intrinsic value of love in one's life journey.
