Miles Horn reflects on the current state of the world and his life in “The Child in You”. Throughout the song, he keeps bringing in how dark and gloomy the world feels lately, and I have to agree with him. Maybe it’s because as we mature, we start to understand the reality of things. Or maybe, we get involved in situations that are generally less exciting. But when do we lose the cheerful innocence of childhood? At what point did we all become so pessimistic? I didn’t expect to be asking myself such heavy questions after listening to the song, but it’s refreshing to hear something thought-provoking.
It’s not meant to be a serious song, although it sounds bleak. Though he recognizes that the world is quite depressing lately, Miles found happiness. He’s met someone who makes him as cheerful as he once was as a child. When they’re happy, he’s happy. Miles’ presents a heartwarming image with a gentle guitar and a deep, soothing voice.
“Everything changes
When I see the smile on your face
Because the child in you
Brings out the child in me”
I find the notion of feeling like a child in love so sweet. Children are always happy because they have nothing to worry about. He’s nostalgic for a time when the only thing that he knew how to be was happy. For someone to make you feel this free as an adult is magical. It’s the simplicity of giving and receiving love, which is what he’s been hoping for. He even expresses how he wants all of the world to feel this way. However, the sweetness is pushed to the side again when he delivers the line that blew me away:
“Like we’re waiting to die
But somehow
Life got in the way”
I’d never thought of life that way, but I understand exactly what he’s saying. This is life when you’ve settled into a mundane, adult routine. It feels like there’s nothing to look forward to, so life seems pointless. The next step is dying, but we have to keep living until we get there. His words, once again, make me reflect on the state of the world. What is this all for? How do we get back to being as happy as we once were? As corny as it may sound, he’s convinced me that love is the answer. Miles could make anyone dream of being as happy as he now is.
