Theodore | ‘The Big Rip’
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The single was created after Theodore began researching about the theory of the universe collapsing. This sparked his interest in the concept of how humans would deal with this happening. When discussing the single, Theodore commented on how he believes that we "just have to accept" that life will fall apart sometimes and there's nothing we can do about it. Therefore he believes it's "useless" to use energy trying to hold society together (Theodore by Info Music 2024). Although this is a gloomy topic, Theodore's single shows his optimistic outlook on life falling apart.
Theodore uses lyrics which convey his optimistic narrative throughout the single. The opening reads "moved beyond". It's important to note that these are in past tense. This could show Theodore's ideology as he is writing from "beyond" or after the world collapses. Therefore he is reflecting on what has happened previously. Additionally, the word choice of "beyond" may highlight how Theodore wants to look beyond the reality of life and death and seek deeper meaning from each. This could be in a spiritual way so that we as humans are grabbing more from what each has to offer. Theodore also uses the lyrics "pushed" and "went" in the single. It's interesting to note that each time Theodore uses past tense, he contrasts this with the present tense. An example of this can be heard when Theodore describes moving "across the line" and then later on having "crossed the line". This draws the listener into how Theodore feels it's important to reimagine a new outlook on reimaging life.
Additionally, Theodore uses the repetition of "too" in the song's lyrics to emphasise the distance between the world collapsing and his control over this. Furthermore, Theodore could be letting go of his inner saboteur which creates pressure around what he can't control. Alongside this, Theodore describes the world as being "fast" and "wide". This could provide a link between the singles lyrics and music video. The Big Rip's accompanying music video enhances the single's appeal. The video was directed by Kostis Theodosopoulos who commented on how 'The Big Rip' symbolises "life as a state of mind". This is undoubtedly incorporated into the video which depicts a marriage and funeral intertwined. The word choice of "wide" could provide a link between the lyrics and how this is depicted through Kostis's cinematography. This could symbolise the expansion of light at the end of the tunnel. However, in contrast with the known expression, Theodore wants society to embrace the light as hope when darkness closes in on us. This flips the original meaning into a positive one. This choice works well as the music video which conveys a distinct contrast to the sombre lyrics.
A significant prop within the video is a bouquet. The bouquet helps intertwine the two faces of marriage and death as flowers have connotations of both happiness and sorrow. In one clip, the bouquet is seen being thrown away by the elderly lady. This could symbolise Theodore's belief of releasing the grip society has on our minds. Also, the visual of a women rising from her deathbed while wearing a white vale holding a bouquet 'marries' together the cinematography and Theodore's concept.
Overall, Theodore's single 'The Big Rip' doesn't disappoint. Theodore uses the binary oppositions of life vs death to symbolise societies attitude to life. He has created a single which stays true to his brand of discussing ethical problems in society. 'The Big Rip' highlights the cultural representation of how as a society we tend to delve on the negative thoughts before the positive ones appear. By Theodore intertwining the world ending and our attitude to life, this gives an insight into what Theodore can achieve as an artist today. Furthermore, listeners will be enchanted to see what Theodore does next and where his imagination can take him in the music industry.