On Melancholy Hill

"On Melancholy Hill" explores themes of finding solace, connection, and a form of happiness in a world that feels artificial and disappointing. The "Melancholy Hill" is a metaphorical space—a state of mind rather than a physical location. It represents a place of bittersweet contemplation where one can escape the harsh realities of the world. The presence of a "plastic tree" symbolizes the artificiality of modern life and the manufactured nature of this sanctuary. The core message revolves around a trade-off: while you "can't get what you want" in a grand sense, the comfort and healing power of a close relationship ("but you can get me") offers a meaningful alternative. The song suggests that love and companionship are a form of "medicine," a remedy for the sadness and alienation felt in the wider world. The journey to the sea with submarines represents an escape and a search for this idyllic state of connection, even if the destination is ultimately just "another dream." Overall, the song finds beauty in melancholy, suggesting it's not simply sadness, but a complex emotional state where introspection and deep connection can flourish.

The song begins by painting a picture of a surreal, perhaps artificial, sanctuary known as Melancholy Hill. Upon this hill stands a “plastic tree,” an image that immediately evokes a sense of manufactured reality and questions the authenticity of this place. The narrator asks a companion if they are present, sharing in this strange, dreamlike view. This place is described as one where you might not achieve your ultimate desires, but you can have the narrator's companionship. This suggests a trade-off: abandoning grand, perhaps unattainable, ambitions for the immediate, tangible comfort of a relationship. An invitation is extended to “set out to sea,” positioning the companion as a form of “medicine,” a healing presence that alleviates some unspoken ailment. The journey is one of shared escape and mutual solace.

The scope of this journey then expands with a call for submarines to travel the world, reinforcing the theme of a global, adventurous escape. However, a question hangs in the air: is this grand voyage just another dream? This line blurs the distinction between reality and fantasy, suggesting that their escape might be a product of imagination, a shared delusion to cope with the world. The offer is repeated with a slight variation: if you can't get what you truly want, you can still join the narrator. This reiterates the core compromise of the song—finding contentment in companionship when grander dreams are out of reach.

The final verse introduces another curious inhabitant of this hill: a manatee. This gentle, serene creature sits on Melancholy Hill, simply “looking out for the day” when the narrator's companion will be close. The manatee adds to the song's whimsical, almost absurd, imagery, but it can also be seen as a symbol of patient, peaceful waiting. It embodies the quiet hope and longing that permeates the song. The repeated phrase “when you're close to me” at the end emphasizes that this proximity and connection are the ultimate resolution and the source of comfort in this melancholic, dream-filled landscape.

"On Melancholy Hill" was released in 2010 as the third single from Gorillaz's third studio album, Plastic Beach. The song was primarily written by Damon Albarn. Interestingly, the track originated during the production of the 2007 self-titled album by The Good, the Bad & the Queen, another project led by Albarn. Demos from this period exist, showcasing an earlier version of the song and leading to speculation that it was initially intended for that band. The track was recorded between June 2008 and November 2009 at various locations, including Albarn's Studio 13 in London. Albarn co-produced the track with the virtual band Gorillaz. In an interview, virtual band member Murdoc Niccals described the song as a necessary "genuine pop moment" on the album, defining "Melancholy Hill" as "that feeling, that place, that you get in your soul sometimes, like someone's let your tyres down."

The rhyme and rhythm of "On Melancholy Hill" are key to its accessible and hypnotic quality. The song follows a simple, often repetitive structure, making it memorable and emotionally direct.

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is generally simple, often using couplets (AABB) or near rhymes, which contributes to its pop sensibility. For instance, in the first stanza, "tree" rhymes with "me," and "day" is paired with "dream" in a near rhyme. This straightforward approach keeps the lyrical focus on the imagery and emotion rather than complex wordplay.

Rhythm and Tempo: The song maintains a consistent mid-tempo of 120 beats per minute (BPM) and is set in a 4/4 time signature. This creates a steady, almost hypnotic rhythm that feels like a gentle but persistent journey, mirroring the lyrical theme of setting out to sea. The drum pattern, provided by a drum machine, is restrained and precise, supporting the song's mellow atmosphere without becoming overly complex. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is seamless, with the vocal melody floating smoothly over the steady electronic pulse, enhancing the song's dreamlike and contemplative feel.

"On Melancholy Hill" is characterized by its fusion of simple, effective literary devices and a distinct musical style.

Literary Techniques:

• Imagery: The song relies heavily on vivid, surreal imagery like the "plastic tree" and the "manatee" to create a dreamlike, almost cinematic world for the listener.
• Metaphor: The entire song is built around the central metaphor of "Melancholy Hill" as a state of mind and a place of refuge.
• Direct Address: The use of "you" throughout the lyrics creates a sense of intimacy and personal connection, as if the singer is speaking directly to a loved one or to the listener themselves.

Musical Techniques:

• Instrumentation: The track is built on a foundation of layered synthesizers, which create its signature dreamy and ethereal soundscape. The driving, yet steady, 4/4 beat is provided by a drum machine, complemented by a simple, melodic bassline.
• Vocal Delivery: Damon Albarn's vocals are delivered in a gentle, almost understated manner, which enhances the song's introspective and melancholic tone.
• Arrangement: The song has a relatively simple pop structure, but its atmospheric production and the gradual layering of synth textures give it a feeling of building momentum, like a gentle journey. The sound is intentionally lighter and more pop-oriented compared to other tracks on the album.

While not a massive commercial hit upon its initial release, "On Melancholy Hill" has grown to become one of Gorillaz's most beloved and enduring songs, with a significant cultural footprint. It charted modestly in the UK, peaking at number 78. However, its popularity has surged over time, becoming a fan favorite and one of the most-streamed tracks from the Plastic Beach album. Its iconic music video, directed by Jamie Hewlett, continues the narrative from the "Stylo" video and is a key piece of Gorillaz lore, featuring the animated band members and a host of the album's collaborators (including Lou Reed and Snoop Dogg) in submarines. The song has been featured in other media, including the video game Life Is Strange 2 and a 2024 Christmas commercial for the British supermarket Tesco, introducing it to new audiences. The track is also a staple of Gorillaz's live performances and has been covered by other artists, such as Japanese Breakfast during their 2025 Coachella set, highlighting its lasting appeal and influence.

The lyrics of "On Melancholy Hill" are rich with symbolism and metaphorical imagery that contribute to its dreamlike and poignant atmosphere.

• Melancholy Hill: This is the central metaphor, representing a state of introspective sadness that is also a place of refuge and solace. It's a mental landscape where one can confront feelings of longing and find a strange sense of peace.
• The Plastic Tree: This image symbolizes the artificiality and fragility of the happiness found on the hill. It speaks to the themes of environmental concern and consumerism that run through the Plastic Beach album, suggesting that this paradise is man-made and unnatural.
• The Sea: Setting out to sea represents escape, a journey away from the disappointments of the real world towards a shared dream or sanctuary with a loved one.
• The Manatee: The appearance of a manatee is a whimsical and surreal touch. Manatees are often associated with gentleness and serenity, and its presence could symbolize a peaceful acceptance of life's complexities or the calm tranquility one can find in this melancholic state. Some interpretations within the music video's narrative see the manatee as a representation of the natural world being impacted by consumerism.
• Submarines: The submarines, which feature prominently in the music video, symbolize the journey and the collective escape of the album's various collaborators, all heading towards the sanctuary of Plastic Beach.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song's structure and reinforce its central themes.

• "Up on Melancholy Hill": This opening phrase is repeated, establishing the song's central location and metaphor. It acts as a recurring signpost, constantly returning the listener to this unique emotional and physical space. Its repetition frames the song as a reflection occurring within this specific state of mind.
• "When you're close to me": This phrase, repeated at the end of several lines and most prominently at the song's conclusion, underscores the core theme of finding solace and healing through companionship. Its repetition functions as an emotional resolution, emphasizing that the presence of the other person is the ultimate comfort and the song's most important destination.
• "Looking out on the day of another dream": This line recurs with slight variations, highlighting the blurry line between the characters' reality and their aspirations. It suggests a cycle of hope and longing, questioning whether their escape is real or imagined, and contributes to the song's wistful, introspective mood.