The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Dear Diary" by the artist "Travis"

In the poem "Dear Diary," Travis explores a sense of inner discord and a search for answers. The lyrical hero addresses the diary as a confidant, asking, "What is wrong with me?". The phrase "I only feel good between the lines" suggests that the hero feels misunderstood, perhaps even by himself. He seeks solace and truth in the space between words, where the true depth of his experiences lies hidden.

The appearance of a mysterious voice answering, "Don't be afraid, help is on its way," creates a sense of hope but also uncertainty. It is unclear where the voice is coming from and what exactly the help entails. The phrase "hung in the air" emphasizes the ephemerality of hope and the uncertainty of the situation.

The repetition of the question "What is wrong with me?" and the emergence of new imagery, such as "the shadow of night" and "the sail of my heart," heighten the sense of anxiety and inner turmoil. The lyrical hero feels the darkness of doubt enveloping him, hindering his ability to move forward, like a sail frozen in windlessness.

The voice addresses the hero again, urging him to remain calm and persevere: "Calm down, go all the way." This call to action contrasts with the hero's passivity at the beginning of the poem. The final lines "Calm down, my heart. Don't start until..." leave the reader in suspense. It is unclear what exactly the hero should not begin and what action is being restrained. Overall, the poem leaves a sense of incompleteness, conveying the complex and contradictory inner world of the lyrical hero, lost in a labyrinth of his own thoughts and feelings.