The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Illusion" by the artist "VNV Nation"

The song "Illusion" by VNV Nation features a lyrical protagonist addressing a person undergoing a profound existential crisis. This person is consumed by confusion, pain, and a desire to escape from themselves and a world that feels alien and hostile.

The protagonist witnesses their loved one's suffering, understands their yearning for solace and meaning behind countless doors of illusion. Instead of judging their struggles, they embrace them, recognizing that "everyone hopes" to find their place in the world.

The realization of their own non-belonging and otherness – a feeling "not sadness, but not joy" – becomes a source of pain. The lyrical protagonist, sharing these feelings, implores them not to give up, not to succumb to despair, and not to leave this world, which is ultimately "just an illusion trying to change you."

They believe that a person's true essence is something more than externally imposed masks and roles. They urge their loved one not to abandon themselves, to preserve their uniqueness, even if the world doesn't understand. After all, there are those who "understand" and "claim rights" to the truth, but the protagonist doubts their righteousness.

Ultimately, the song is a cry from the soul, full of love, compassion, and desperate hope. It's a call for unity in the face of universal illusion, for preserving one's individuality, and for searching for one's own path.