London-based singer/songwriter Seraphina Simone’s new single “O M D” is a modern, synthy rendition of an age-old love story: holding on to someone even after they’ve gone.
With clear and gentle vocals, Simone sings of a romantic relationship: one that seems to be emotionally overwhelming.
When he spoke
It came in stops and starts
I can’t go on like this
No I can’t go on like this
From the start, we hear somber, almost intimidating synths. Then, we learn that there is trouble in this relationship. “I can’t go on like this” is a cry for help, and it means that something is wrong, but what?
When he cried
It came in stops and starts
Tears tracing the marks
I can’t go on like this
No I can’t go on like this
In the second verse, we get a little more information. Tears are a powerful symbol of the depth of a relationship. In most cases, only those we truly care about have the power to upset us enough to tears.
As psychedelic, new-age sounds build up to the chorus, the verbiage of “I can’t go on” is repeated continuously, as if Simone is shouting this into the void out of sheer frustration, as well as pushing the song’s story along.
Every time the sun rose
He’d hold me in his arms howling
Oh my darling
I can’t go on without you
Can’t go on without you
These last three lines are repeated again before the chorus comes to an end for the final verse. Ironically, the song’s nostalgic and catchy beat is easy listening, which seems to intentionally juxtapose the not so easy feelings being shared lyrically.
The last verse is a somber ending to this love story:
When he left
He left without a word
No goodbyes to be heard
Just a note that said
I can’t go on like this
No I can’t go on like this
We find out that eventually, Simone’s mysterious man leaves without a trace. The words “I can’t go on like this” take on a new meaning, now that we know the end to the story. Naturally, after finding out that this person disappears, we wonder what affect it had on Simone. And thankfully, she delivers:
Now every time the night falls
I lie here I the dark howling
Oh my darling
I can’t go on without you
Can’t go on without you
Just as he used to howl these words to her at night, Simone does the same. Though now, she is all alone. Even after all of this, Simone ends the song with hope that he will come back to her, i.e. holding on to someone that’s gone:
I hold on to the note that said the worst
‘Cause I hold on to the hope that returns
And says
Oh my darling
I can’t go on without you
