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Megan Koscki

Professor Granillo

English 103

10 May 2019

The Unconscious Power Through Love

“Feelings aroused by the touch of someone's hand, the sound of music, the smell of a

flower, love, laughter, hope and faith - all work on both the unconscious and the conscious

aspects of the self, and they have physiological consequences as well.” (Bernie Siegel) All of

these beautiful things in which humans experience, help us to better understand the mind.

Studying the mind in one way has been done by a theorists, Sigmund Freud in creating a

movement called psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a school of criticism based on theories about

the unconscious mind and can be expressed today through music. A well-known producer, Kygo,

created the song “Firestone” with Conrad Sewell with the use of pathos, addressing

psychoanalysis through one’s psyche, stage of genitals, and unconscious mind. Understanding

these factors in today’s society helps Kygo prove how truly powerful love can be between two

partners, even though sexual desires arise.

The central theme, love, is brought up in many songs by the Norwegian electronic

producer, Kygo. Love ​can make people feel as if they are “on top of the world,” and this feeling

is expressed in ​Kygo’s multi-platinum song, “Firestone.” This song brought a big boost in his

career by attracting a large audience full of young adolescents who are in love. The song

communicates the notion of how strong a connection can be between two people, creating sexual

desires. The lyrics suggest imagery toward two partners who want to connect, from metaphors
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used regarding fire and words that truly make the listeners feel the music. These examples from

the song help bring it all together with an appealing symphony, that creates the need for dance

and intimacy. The strong feelings suggested give examples toward psychoanalysis by seeing

how the unconscious takes over when sexual urges come about in one’s mind.

The understanding of psychoanalysis is done by studying the psyche which is broken

down into three parts, id, ego, and superego. Kygo’s song “Firestone” sings, “I’m a flame, you’re

a fire..I’m the dark in need of light” (Firestone 0:32-0:40) suggesting the id part of the psyche.

The id is the factor that reacts on impulse to one’s primal needs (​Siegfried, William.​) Using the

metaphor, “I’m the dark in need of light” explains how one feels empty without their lovers

company, referring to how the id has set an intention toward “demanding” instant satisfaction

through the one’s instincts. With regards to the id, the ego is the second part of the psyche which

makes decisions based on logic, shown through the lyrics “When we touch you inspire...so take

me up, take me higher, there’s a world not far from here.” (Firestone 0:41-0:55) This is an

example of the ego because of how the pleasure principle is brought up to testify as to why the

two should be brought together (​Siegfried, William​). Firstly, the craving of the other individual

was expressed through the id and now the ego takes over to give reason as to why the impulse

should be satisfied; the touch between the two brings inspiration. The lyrics suggest that the love

here is being tested through the distance apart and expressing how desires are needed to be met.

Lastly, toward the idea of the psyche, the superego is the conscious part of the mind in which

distinguishes between the right and wrong in given situations. In “Firestone” Conrad Sewell

sings, “I’m from X, you’re from Y, perfect strangers in the night” (Firestone 2:41-2:48) being an

example of the superego by determining that the two in love are meant for each other because
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they are X and Y, male and female. The superego brings out the reality of the situation and this

reality is the idea of perfection between the two, giving reason to fulfill the sexual desires from

the id and ego. The psyche helps better understand one’s mind in gaining knowledge on what

impulses are present, what can be done to fulfill the impulses, and basing those decisions on

moral values. Kygo’s song gives meaning to these understanding in order for people to

understand the psychosexual stages.

While this is the case, psychosexual stages break down into five different parts that

believe conflict arises in different times of someones life, creating sexual energy over time. In

the song “Firestone” Conrad sings, “We can dance, in desire, or we can burn in love tonight...”

(Firestone 0:59) suggesting the formation of genitals, the last stage of the psychosexual stages.

During the genital stage, adolescents begin to experiment with sex and begin looking for a

partner to please them, rather than through self-pleasure (​Vleminck, Jens​.) Understanding this

stage shows how these lyrics suggest genitals because of the words used, “burn in love tonight,”

referring to having sexual intercourse and gaining the pleasure that was wanted by the conscious.

Secondly, the lyrics “...we feel the love, sparks will fly, they ignite our bones.” (Firestone

1:14-1:20 ) is another example of psychoanalysis through the concept of not just blowing of

steam, but filling the lack of emptiness one feels when they are alone with sublimation.

Sublimation is a defense mechanism used after the psychosexual stages in order to protect the

psyche from unpleasant thoughts. These lyrics express how the love is so strong it can make up

for any emptiness one may feel and to protect the mind from going into a dark place. Altogether,

the fifth stage within psychosexual stages is expressed in this song from the use of the genital
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stage and the defense mechanism, in order to protect one’s self and better understand Sigmund

Freud's complex view on human sexuality.

At the same time, studying psychoanalysis is a process full of twist and turns that never

truly tie down to one reality because of the many ways one can study it. One can even begin to

agree and disagree with Freud’s teachings as he takes simple ideas to an extreme level. Though,

his idea toward pleasure and satisfaction can be understood deeply within Kygo’s song. Freud

believes that pleasure is a change in one’s whole body, meaning that pleasure needs satisfaction

to occur. While demonstrated in “Firestone” through the tempo of the music, listeners gain a

sense of passion and pleasure as the music picks up throughout the song. Taking away the lyrics

still creates meaning by expressing these feelings that make one’s heart race and gain chills

across the skin. Freud believes that when a desires arises your body will feel it and to fully be

satisfied with the outcome more feelings will arise, just like in Kygo’s song the music makes you

feel the love. Furthermore, lust, which denotes the experience with both a need and gratification

toward one’s desires is found in “Firestone.” The lyrics here, “Our hearts are like firestones, and

when they strike, we feel the love.” suggesting Freud’s meaning of lust because of the strong

sexual desire in the words. These sexual desires are a natural human experience that are

expressed through lust when passion and a craving for love is filled with in the mind.

Understanding Freud’s view on pleasure and lust was done through Kygo’s song and continues

to explain how today’s society brings about sexual desires through music.

Additionally, the use of psychoanalysis brings a significance to today's American culture

because of how sex is becoming more normalized. Through the lyrics in Kygo’s song, examples

of young lovers who discover their natural desires are expressed all throughout. These desires are
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examples of today’s society because they relate to the psychosexual stages and express an

understanding of how these feelings are normal. Freud frequently mentions how sexuality is

everyone’s weakness and this is well demonstrated in Kygo’s song. The music video is full of

anticipation that you can hear through the tempo of the song. The story follows and boy and girl

through the streets of a city that eventually lead them to the same spot. These scenes in the video

give off feels of passion when you see eye-contact and communication. Instantly, pathos fills the

music video because of all the emotion you gain. The creators want the viewers to understand the

love that is being expressed through the song when you begin to feel your heart race as the tempo

speeds up. This love is shown to express how natural it is for humans to want pleasure, no matter

what society has to say about it. All of this is not to say that it isn’t easy to express the meaning

of love because people might have different views on what the true meaning of its entirety.

Saying that, society is still full of people who don’t understand that sexual energy is a real thing.

While, Kygo uses his music based on his own experience and knows the true feeling he is letting

out through the tempo and lyrics. Understanding the emotions this song has to offer brings clarity

to how powerful our impulses are when in we are in love. It is important to look at Kygo’s

message, being that sexual energy is powerful, to understand how society sees and feels about

love itself through also examining one’s unconscious mind.

Lastly, examining psychoanalysis can be done in a variety of ways especially

when the unconscious is well understood. Kygo’s lyrics from the beginning to the end give

examples of how humans express their emotions through their society. In Lois Tyson’s book,

“You can’t always get what you consciously want, but you get what you unconsciously need.”

Supporting Kygo’s message because it discussed the topic of sexual urges and how the lovers
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need to be in each other’s presence. It is understood that the unconscious tends to overpower the

true reality of experiences enhancing the desires even more. When reflecting on psychoanalysis

compared to this song, Kygo doesn’t bring up any unpleasant feelings. Most sexual urges will

come because of fear and anxiety that take place during one’s growth, but this isn’t to say it

happens for everyone. Freud also mentions the idea of “the real” which communicates the idea of

how society’s ideologies can go beyond our control. (​Bernard, Mihaela​) Moreover, the idea of

love is greatly understood in today’s society through the use of psychoanalysis. The song

“Firestone” is like a mirror to the intimacy given in the American culture. All of the lyrics bring

an emotional magnetism value to tie the audience in by what goes on in their own life. Kygo

emphasizes this lyrics, “We light up the world” giving an example of psychoanalysis because the

fulfilling feeling of connection is being expressed. This use of firestones as the two partners,

expresses the energy that is wanted to be shared with the listeners. When one thinks of fire there

is lots of energy and light and this relates to being in love, hence the use of sparks and light in the

lyrics. Love is strong enough to lead the unconscious to follow its impulses and sets a reminder

to people that the unconscious mind does what it wants if its not being controlled

In conclusion, Kygo’s song “Firestone” brings significance to American culture today

through the use of Freud’s psychoanalysis. The song brings about emotions full of passion, lust,

and happiness that attracts an audience full of young lovers who want to feel connected. These

lyrics are a reminder about the power love has on people. The unconscious mind has people be

aware of how the mind interacts with human experiences, especially toward this idea of love.

People tend to believe that love leads to one self’s expression, while controversial say love goes

beyond lust and creates sexual urges. No matter what, through the psychoanalysis concepts of the
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psyche, psychosexual stages, and pleasure all give reason to how love can overtake the mind.

This explains how today’s society can relate to Kygo’s song by understanding their own natural

desires. Saying, no matter what, love will always be a powerful force that will continue to create

sexual desires from the unconscious and is well expressed through examples of today’s music.
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Works Cited

Bernard, Mihaela. “7 Things Sigmund Freud ‘Nailed’ About Love & Sex.” ​Psych

Central.com,​ 15 Feb. 2016,

blogs.psychcentral.com/practical-psychoanalysis/2016/02/7-things-sigmund-freud-nailed-

about-love-sex/.

“Love and Psychoanalysis.” ​Psychology Today​, Sussex Publishers,

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mysteries-love/201612/love-and-psychoanalysis​.

Siegfried, William. “The Formation and Structure of the Human Psyche.” ​Id, Ego, and Superego

- The Dynamic​, 2014.

Tyson, Lois. ​Critical Theory Today, A User-Friendly Guide​. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2015.

Vleminck, Jens de., and Eran Dorfman. ​Sexuality and Psychoanalysis: Philosophical Criticisms.​

Leuven University Press, 2010.