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WHAT AN ELASTIC HEART REALLY MEANS TO SIA

What An Elastic Heart Really Means To Sia

Aura Kimball

State College of Florida: Lakewood Ranch

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WHAT AN ELASTIC HEART REALLY MEANS TO SIA

Mental illness can be defined as changes in emotion, thinking and behavior. These

illnesses are associated with distress and problems functioning in social situations, family

activities, or partnerships. However, many factors contribute to problematic psychological

conditions such as genes, brain chemistry, trauma, or abuse. These issues can cause someone to

spiral and/or create a mental barrier — altering many of their relationships. While this can

negatively affect a person’s mood and conduct, it can also instill independence and self-

sufficiency.

These outbursts of risky behaviors— that have caused friction within relationships for

lifetimes— influenced Sia, an Australian singer and songwriter with hopes of reaching inner-

peace and self-prosperity. Sia (2015) introduced her song, Elastic heart to the world as part of

her manic album, 1000 Forms of Fear. It acts almost like a diary; portraying a dark aesthetic that

appeals to the pathos of her listeners. The raw emotion that emits through her songs motivates

the targeted younger generation to express themselves in a strong and definite light— without

the assurance or approval of others. Within her lyrics, Sia transforms the stigma around mental

illness being frailty in a person. Instead, she challenges her listeners to think of mental health as

a passion for life and liberated vigor rather than inferiority and weakness.

First, her song shows a certainty of psychological illnesses causing isolation and

bitterness. In the lyrics “And another one bites the dust/ But why can I not conquer love?” (Sia,

2015, Lines 1-2), the libretto another one represents one more person walking out of her life due

to her manic and depressive episodes that caused said friction within her connections. The

heartfelt question can I not conquer love? Displays a vivid image of previously failed romance

and companionships that have left her to face these trials alone. This first depiction of having an
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WHAT AN ELASTIC HEART REALLY MEANS TO SIA

incurable ‘disease’ gives her audience an outlook on the pain and suffering of those who deal

with it daily. Including the miles of life lost to these constant self-destructive tendencies.

Apart from the loneliness engendered from irreparable hysteria, the song takes a look at

the consequences of these disputes. “Yeah let’s be clear, I trust no one/ you did not break me/

I’m still fighting for peace” (Sia, 2015, Lines 8-10). The swift pause right before saying I trust

no one indicates her solid statement. This declaration also conveys the abandonment issues that

can be associated with mental illnesses. You did not break me gives a sense that no one is really

capable of tearing her apart. One will eventually grow a thicker skin to withstand others walking

out of their lives. Which in turn shows that fighting for peace signifies she is still in combat with

her own mind, those who chose to leave cannot affect her anymore than her sickness does.

The song then moves from deciphering this vicious cycle to a developed outcome. Sia

proclaims there doesn’t have to be a dependency on someone else in order to reach that inner-

strength and positive image. “Yeah I may snap and I move fast/ you won’t see me fall apart/

‘cause I’ve got an elastic heart” (Sia, 2015, Lines 14-16). The words I may snap expresses she is

not easily broken; she is pliable. Although a fresh wound can take affect, she is able to recover

rapidly. You won’t see me fall apart addresses the independence she has to salvage herself rather

than waiting for someone else to ‘save’ her. Lastly, the finishing lyrics I’ve got an elastic heart is

the realization of her capacity— her epiphanic moment. Elastic is a material that is extremely

durable in terms of brut force; It can retain compression, expansion, stretching, and other

deformation that would normally destroy solid substances. Hence her comparison to this matter

describing her heart— the amount of manipulation it can suppress, control, and endure.

In the end, Sia’s message is unavoidably clear. In her song, Elastic heart (Sia, 2015) 1000

Forms of fear, there is an unspoken power in those who are defined as ‘unhinged’ or ‘psychotic’.
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WHAT AN ELASTIC HEART REALLY MEANS TO SIA

The need for this message is great in today’s culture. Although there is an evident amount of

tragedy, pain, and loss associated with having a mental illness, Sia calls for action to cast aside

this lifestyle of sulking and pity. Instead, to face each day with strength by facing their problems.

It takes a considerable amount of self-discipline and stamina to resist and succeed in building a

life there is no need to escape from. It is Sia’s belief that young women, and men, that listen to

this song and relate, have the dynamism and passion to burst through the seams, and persevere.
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WHAT AN ELASTIC HEART REALLY MEANS TO SIA

References

Sia. (2015). Elastic heart.

https://genius.com/Sia-elastic-heart-lyrics