Annotations for Map of the Problematique

Lyric: And no one thinks they are to blame
 Why can’t we see that when we bleed, we bleed the same?
Annotation:
No one wants to take responsibility for what has happened, even though it affects them all equally. Everyone, simply as human beings, are equal. Sort of like that saying that all graves are the same size. While this may not literally be true—eventually we all die and all our hardships, while different, do not vary too much since they are still hardships and we are all equals. Instead of making each other bleed the same blood, we must drain the blood of the corrupt and wrong. Or at least punish or incriminate them. The concept  might also take inspiration from Shylock’s monologue in William Shakespeare’s  The Merchant of Venice, where the Jewish moneylender asks himself If you prick us, do we not bleed?, in reference to bleeding the same blood that Christians do.

Lyric: I can’t get it right
 Get it right
Annotation:
Nothing he does seems to be correct for the other person in the relationship. Beyond that, the vagueness of the “it” creates the implication that he himself feels wrong in some fundamental way. He doesn’t understand why the relationship isn’t working, and can’t “get right” either what he’s supposed to do, or who he’s supposed to be to make things better.

Lyric: Loneliness be over
 When will this loneliness be over?
Annotation:
This, combined with the earlier “I refuse to let you go” line, presents a paradox. Even though the speaker is clinging desperately to the relationship, he still feels lonely because he can feel that it isn’t working out, and that the other person is pulling away from him. This apparent contradiction contributes to the song’s overall feelings of confusion and despair.

Lyric: And I feel like everything I sow
 Is being swept away
Annotation:
Sowing refers to the agricultural practice of planting seeds in the ground, and plant life is one of the most ubiquitous symbols of rebirth and happiness. In order for plants to grow, the conditions have to be right—fertile land, water, and sunlight. Otherwise, the seeds are a waste. In the context of the song, the narrator mentions fear, panic, desolation, and despair—words that don’t point to a healthy relationship. The narrator feels that everything they have worked for in terms of improving the relationship is futile.

Lyric: Since I met you
Annotation:
Sometimes when this song is played live, Matt changes the lyrics to “Since I lost you.” The “you” Bellamy is referring to is his ex-girlfriend  Gaia Polloni.

Lyric: Fear and panic in the air
Annotation:
Fear and Panic are the English translations for the  two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos.  This helps the song connect to the cover of the album, which appears to be on Mars.

