Cleats by Finneas Song Meaning
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Get the iOS AppIn October 2024, Finneas released "Cleats," a song layered with introspection, emotional nuance, and a blend of literary finesse. Known for his evocative songwriting, Finneas explores themes of unrequited love, growing pains, and the bittersweetness of fleeting youth. His lyrics, rich in metaphor and vivid imagery, are woven into a structure that resonates with the complexity of navigating relationships and self-identity.
"Cleats" touches on themes of adolescence, heartbreak, and the complexities of unreciprocated affection. The lyrics paint a picture of a young individual wrestling with feelings for someone seemingly out of reach. Finneas explores the uncertainty of teenage love—the hopeful yet painful longing when one’s emotions are not mirrored by the other. This narrative aligns with Finneas's known perspective on life's quieter, more subtle struggles, as seen in his previous work, where he often portrays the dichotomy of youthful optimism and the harsh realities of growing up.
The song hints at an internal conflict between hope and resignation. Lines like "If it's all a waste of time" and "If it's all a silver lining" suggest a vacillation between giving in to pessimism and clinging to a glimmer of hope. This emotional oscillation, encapsulated in the phrase "summer's over soon," conveys the ephemeral nature of youthful innocence and carefree love, reflecting Finneas's common exploration of time, change, and loss.
Finneas is renowned for his literary craftsmanship, and "Cleats" is no exception. Throughout the song, he employs metaphor, imagery, and symbolism to enrich the narrative. The central image of "cleats" serves as a metaphor for being stuck in a particular moment, unable to move forward. Cleats, with their spikes that dig into the earth, symbolize the lingering attachment to memories or feelings that one finds hard to let go. This aligns with the lyric, "Your heart's still in the weeds / Straight off the soccer field," suggesting a heart rooted in past experiences, unable to progress.
The recurring sports imagery, like "scraping her knees" and "she's still wearing her cleats," not only captures the physicality of young love but also evokes the rough, unpredictable nature of adolescent relationships. The song's clever use of simile—"Maybe she's a late bloomer"—further deepens this portrayal, hinting at the idea that everyone grows and matures at their own pace. Finneas also uses alliteration ("sprained ankle," "summer's over soon"), enhancing the song's rhythm and drawing attention to key emotional turning points in the lyrics.
"Cleats" follows a loose, free-flowing structure that mirrors the uncertainty and confusion expressed in the lyrics. The rhyme scheme is not rigid, fluctuating between internal and end rhymes, lending a conversational tone to the song. This unstructured approach allows Finneas to create an emotional intimacy, as if the listener is privy to a stream of consciousness reflecting the raw thoughts and feelings of the narrator.
The chorus, with its repeated line "But it's all the same to you," becomes a poignant anchor point within the song. Its rhythmic quality underscores the monotony of unfulfilled longing and the cyclical nature of romantic obsession. The repetitive phrasing also creates a sense of an "endless afternoon," capturing the feeling of being stuck in a moment that refuses to end.
While "Cleats" doesn't directly reference specific cultural or historical events, it fits into the broader narrative of modern youth culture, especially within the context of 21st-century adolescent experiences. The song's sports metaphor, commonly associated with American high school life, grounds the narrative in a familiar setting for many listeners. Finneas, having grown up in a music-centric family and environment, often draws on the nuances of contemporary youth struggles in his work. Here, he encapsulates the universal experience of navigating first love, confusion, and the struggle for self-acceptance.
Finneas's songwriting often stems from a deeply personal place, reflecting both his own experiences and the stories he observes. In "Cleats," we see his signature style—offering a candid, almost unfiltered glimpse into the awkwardness of love and the painful beauty of growing up. Themes of nostalgia and introspection are consistent with his previous work, which frequently delves into the complexity of human emotions.
His personal influences shine through in the way he captures these seemingly mundane yet profoundly impactful moments. The line, "Old crush on the new teacher," speaks to the innocence of youthful crushes while also implying a sense of longing for what could never be. Finneas's portrayal of these experiences as multifaceted and bittersweet suggests his inclination to explore the paradoxes of human emotions: hope intertwined with regret, joy shadowed by sadness.
"Cleats" by Finneas is a masterful exploration of young love, longing, and the passage of time. Through the use of metaphor, symbolism, and a freeform structure, he creates an emotionally resonant narrative that reflects the uncertainty and beauty of adolescence. The song’s sports imagery and casual yet impactful phrasing evoke the physicality and earnestness of young relationships, while its introspective tone and repetition highlight the turmoil of growing up.
In line with Finneas's previous works, "Cleats" serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of youth and the often tumultuous path of self-discovery. His ability to capture complex emotions with simplicity and nuance makes this song a reflective piece on the trials and tribulations of young love, leaving listeners with a sense of empathy and shared experience.
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