comethru

"comethru" by Jeremy Zucker is a candid and introspective song that explores themes of loneliness, mental exhaustion, and the yearning for human connection. The song was written during a transitional period in Zucker's life after he graduated from college and moved back into his childhood home in New Jersey. Instead of the freedom and happiness he associated with summer, he found himself feeling isolated while working on his music in his parents' basement. The lyrics convey a sense of being overwhelmed and out of step with the world, as illustrated by lines like "I might lose my mind, wakin' when the sun's down." The song captures the complex emotion of feeling weird and disconnected in a familiar environment. The central message of the song is a vulnerable plea for companionship, encapsulated in the recurring line, "can you come through?". It's an acknowledgment that it's okay to not be okay on your own and that seeking support from others is a sign of strength, not weakness. The song resonates with listeners who have experienced similar feelings of isolation and the need for someone to simply be there for them.

The song begins with the narrator expressing a sense of mental unease and a disoriented schedule, often waking up as the sun is setting. This imagery immediately establishes a feeling of being out of sync with the world. He describes this period as riding emotional highs and lows, constantly waiting for the inevitable crash or 'comedown.' Despite this internal turmoil, he presents a facade of being okay to the outside world, stating he's 'doing decently' and is simply glad to be breathing. This suggests a struggle to maintain a semblance of normalcy while feeling overwhelmed internally.

As the song progresses, the narrator delves deeper into his feelings of isolation and exhaustion. He mentions being 'too old for my hometown,' indicating a sense of displacement and not fitting in anymore. His days are spent in a passive state, going to bed at noon and endlessly scrolling through his phone, where faces on a screen all blend into one. This highlights a disconnect from genuine human interaction and a reliance on superficial digital connections. The line 'now I'm shaking, drinking all this coffee, these last few weeks have been exhausting' points to a physical and mental burnout, likely from anxiety and a disrupted lifestyle. He acknowledges being lost in his own thoughts and imagination, a state that is not portrayed as whimsical but rather as a source of distress.

The central plea of the song emerges in the chorus: 'and there's one thing that I need from you, can you come through?'. This repeated request underscores the core theme of the song – a deep-seated need for companionship and support. The simplicity of the request, to just 'come through,' suggests that he is not looking for a grand solution to his problems, but for the simple comfort of someone's presence. It's a vulnerable admission that he cannot handle his feelings of isolation on his own. The song concludes with the powerful realization that 'it's all right to not be fine on your own,' a message of self-acceptance and the importance of seeking help and connection when needed. This final sentiment encapsulates the song's journey from quiet desperation to a hopeful acknowledgment of vulnerability.

"comethru" was written and produced by Jeremy Zucker, with co-writing credits for Daniel Rakow. The song was created in the summer of 2018, a period of significant transition for Zucker. After graduating from Colorado College with a degree in molecular biology, he moved back into his parents' house in New Jersey to focus on his music career. He spent most of his time alone in his childhood basement, which served as his studio. This experience of isolation, in stark contrast to the freedom he expected from summer, was the primary inspiration for the song. Zucker has mentioned that his sleep schedule was completely reversed at the time, and he felt a desperate need for someone to lift his spirits and alter his monotonous routine. The simple and direct nature of the song reflects this raw and honest emotional state. The music video was famously filmed on the rooftop of the Velvet Underground venue in Toronto while Zucker was on tour in 2018, and its subsequent popularity played a significant role in boosting his career. The song was released on September 28, 2018, as part of his EP "summer,".

The rhyme scheme in "comethru" is relatively straightforward, primarily using couplets (AABB) within its verses, such as "down" and "comedown," and "me" and "breathe." This simple rhyme structure contributes to the song's conversational and unpretentious feel, making the lyrics feel like genuine thoughts being spoken aloud. The rhythm of the song is relaxed and follows a gentle, swaying tempo. The melodic phrasing often has a syncopated feel against the steady guitar rhythm, mirroring the feeling of being slightly off-kilter that the lyrics describe. The chorus's rhythm is direct and pleading, with the repetition of "can you come through?" landing on strong beats, emphasizing its importance. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical accompaniment is seamless, creating a cohesive and emotionally resonant piece of music that feels both melancholic and comforting.

"comethru" is characterized by its minimalistic and intimate musical style. The song primarily features a gently strummed electric guitar, a laid-back beat, and Zucker's soft, almost conversational vocal delivery. This stripped-back instrumentation creates a sense of closeness and vulnerability, allowing the lyrical content to take center stage. Zucker's vocals have a distinctively raspy and soulful quality, which adds to the song's emotional depth. The melody is relatively simple and memorable, contributing to the song's accessibility. Towards the end of the track, a subtle synth line is introduced, adding a layer of texture to the arrangement. The song's structure is straightforward, with a clear distinction between the introspective verses and the pleading chorus. The production, handled by Zucker himself, is clean and uncluttered, emphasizing the song's raw and honest feel. A remix of the song was later released featuring singer Bea Miller, whose vocals complement Zucker's to create a harmonious duet.

"comethru" has had a significant cultural impact since its release, becoming one of Jeremy Zucker's most recognizable songs. The track gained immense popularity on streaming platforms, amassing millions of streams and achieving multi-platinum certifications in several countries, including the United States (2x Platinum), Canada (3x Platinum), and Australia (2x Platinum). The song's relatable themes of loneliness and mental health struggles resonated deeply with a young audience, particularly on social media platforms where it went viral. The simple, homemade style of the music video, shot on a rooftop in Toronto, further added to its authentic appeal. The success of "comethru" solidified Zucker's position as a prominent artist in the indie-pop and bedroom pop scenes and gave him the freedom to create his debut album, "love is not dying," with less commercial pressure. The song has been praised for its honest and vulnerable songwriting, and it remains a fan favorite at his live shows. A popular remix of the song featuring Bea Miller was also released, further extending its reach.

The lyrics of "comethru" employ simple yet effective symbolism to convey its themes of loneliness and emotional fatigue. The act of "waking when the sun's down" is a powerful metaphor for a life that is out of sync with the natural rhythm of the world, symbolizing a state of depression or alienation. "Riding all these highs, waiting for the comedown" metaphorically describes a volatile emotional state, possibly hinting at anxiety or the transient nature of happiness followed by an inevitable crash. The "faces on a screen" represent the superficiality of modern digital relationships and the lack of genuine connection that the narrator is experiencing. The act of drinking excessive coffee to the point of shaking is a physical manifestation of his internal anxiety and exhaustion. The repeated plea "can you come through?" serves as a central motif, symbolizing the profound and simple human need for presence and support in times of struggle.

The most significant recurring phrase in "comethru" is the question, "can you come through?". This line acts as the song's central hook and emotional core, appearing repeatedly in the chorus. Its repetition highlights the narrator's deep-seated longing for companionship and support. Each time the phrase is sung, it reinforces the vulnerability and desperation underlying the song's narrative. Another recurring motif is the idea of not being okay, expressed in the line, "I'm trying to realize it's alright to not be fine on your own." This phrase encapsulates the song's ultimate message of self-acceptance and the importance of seeking help. The imagery of a distorted schedule and overstimulation, such as "waking when the sun's down" and "drinking all this coffee," also recurs, painting a consistent picture of the narrator's mentally and physically exhausted state.