Love and Despair: Symbolic Interactionism in Sleep Token’s Take Me Back to Eden

This study examines the themes of love and despair in Sleep Token’s album Take Me Back to Eden through the theoretical framework of Symbolic Interactionism. Music lyrics are not merely artistic expressions but function as symbolic forms through which individuals construct meaning and negotiate identity. Using a qualitative approach and close textual analysis, this research explores how symbolic language, metaphor, and narrative voice within the album reflect the songwriter’s evolving sense of self as shaped by interpersonal interaction. The findings indicate that love initially functions as a relational force that constructs identity, while despair emerges when symbolic meanings within the relationship collapse. This collapse leads to identity fragmentation, emotional introspection, and eventual self‑redefinition. Furthermore, the album’s themes resonate with contemporary cultural issues such as emotional vulnerability, mental health awareness, and relational instability in modern society. The study concludes that Take Me Back to Eden demonstrates how symbolic interactionism operates within lyrical narratives, positioning music as a powerful medium of meaning‑making, identity formation, and emotional negotiation. Keywords: Sleep Token, Symbolic Interactionism, Love, Despair, Identity, Song lyrics