Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: show-tunes
Song Meaning of “Xanadu” by Company
“Xanadu” is a melancholy reflection on the tragedy of wanting something that you can never have. The protagonist longs for a perfect, idyllic existence – an eternal paradise – but is faced with the sobering realities of the world. Despite reaching for a place of unrivaled beauty, the protagonist is stricken with the knowledge that it’s just as fleeting and ephemeral as everything else in life.
The lyrics speak of wanting to feel freedom and contentment, but as soon as it’s reached, it’s gone. The chorus of “The sound of silence, reading you my words/Come back into Xanadu for a moment” serves as a reminder that such perfection can never truly last. The song serves as a call to savor every moment of peace and joy while it lasts, yet still always search for a place to call home.
The music is powerful, combining piano, strings, and electronic influences. The melody soars, representing the protagonist’s drive to find fulfillment, only to turn somber in the choruses as they reach their current destination and realize it’s not enough.
Ultimately, “Xanadu” serves as an ode to our eternal quest for happiness and contentment, knowing that such a feeling is fleeting and that it will never truly be satisfied.