Beyond the Breakup: Unpacking the Meaning Behind 5 Seconds of Summer’s “High”
When Australian pop-rock powerhouse 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) released their fourth studio album, CALM, fans expected infectious hooks and energetic anthems. What they received, particularly in the album’s closing track “High,” was a masterclass in emotional vulnerability.
Far from a standard, cookie-cutter breakup song, “High” dives deep into the complexities of ego, human flaw, and the desperate hope that someone from your past still remembers you fondly.
The Core Premise: An “Almost Narcissistic” Confession
Lead vocalist Luke Hemmings described “High” in track-by-track commentary as an “almost narcissistic note to yourself.”
Unlike songs that wallow entirely in self-pity or point fingers at an ex-partner, “High” explores a peculiar psychological space. It is driven by a selfish yet deeply human desire: the yearning to dictate how you are remembered. The narrator wants to ensure that even after a relationship has crumbled, they still hold a pristine, elevated status in their ex-partner’s mind.
Dissecting the Key Lyrics
The emotional weight of the track rests heavily on its poignant lyricism. Two lines, in particular, capture the song’s entire thesis
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