Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “I’m Wearing the Device (Bridge, Water)” by Mixtapes
“I’m Wearing the Device (Bridge, Water)” by Mixtapes is an emotionally charged song about the struggle to remain true to oneself in the face of adversity. The song’s narrator is struggling to stay on the straight and narrow path, surrounded by people who would rather he compromise his integrity for their own benefit. The phrase “I’m wearing the device” could be interpreted metaphorically as the narrator accepting an obligation to remain true to himself despite attempts by others to change him. This self-imposed “device” emotionally weighs him down and threatens to drag him down into the depths, symbolised by the phrase “bridge, water”.
Musically, the song builds in intensity as the narrator is pulled in two directions; the optimistic guitar melody speaks to his desire to remain true to himself, while the impassioned chorus betrays his inner struggle. The song’s chorus acts as an emotional pressure valve, allowing the narrator to briefly scream out his feelings before doing his best to maintain his sense of personal integrity.
The song’s truest power lies in its universal message of never compromising your ideals despite the temptations and temptations of those around you. So many of us can relate to the feeling of being hemmed in by those who think they know what’s best for us, when in reality all we want is to stay true to our own values. The song’s narrator may not be wearing a physical device, but his struggle is universal and recognisable to any of us who have ever felt trapped by expectations.