twilight zone
- Daniella Rojas
- May 1
- 4 min read
Updated: May 7
"twilight zone" is the lead single from the deluxe version of Eternal Sunshine. The song transports us into a realm of questioning whether an experience felt like a dream or a nightmare, due to the confusion it evokes. With its upbeat tempo and majestic melodies, this track reassures you that you've moved on from someone while still feeling confused and shocked about the impact that person had on your life.
“Did I dream the whole thing? Was I just a nightmare? Different dimensions, stuck in the twilight zone.” This relationship you were in felt like a dream, a beautiful illusion that wrapped you in warmth and hope. However, reality eventually returns, and you suddenly remember all the conflicts that occurred, leading you to believe that you were the nightmare of the relationship. It felt as if you two existed in different dimensions, as if you were stuck in the Twilight Zone. This is often described as a place where two different ways of life or forms of existence intersect, resulting in a state of surrealness. “Is this a black-and-white scene? If so, then I'm in the gray one. Hope you win for best actor, 'cause I had you completely wrong.” Things don’t always appear as they should. You might question whether you’re living in a black-and-white scene, which is often understood as being one thing or another, simple and direct. In this context, back in 1959, a series called The Twilight Zone was released in monochrome, which may be the reference Ariana was implying. However, you hope to exist in the gray area, which represents a combination of both black and white, displaying that neither side is entirely right or wrong. Anticipating that they will win the Best Actor award reveals an inconsistency between their public persona and private actions, suggesting that this individual has not lived up to the values they preach. You were misled into believing the diverse lies they implemented, obscuring their true character and intentions.
“Does she know you're not who you say you are?
'Cause I might give her a call
Or was I just not me at all?”
He’s long gone and in a new relationship, and you wonder if his current partner knows the truth. You might consider giving her a call to warn her about what’s really going on and to advise her to be careful. However, you also reflect on whether your ex treated you the way he did because you were in a period of your life when you felt lost, rather than being your true self.
“And it's not like I'm still not over you. It's so strange, this I never do. Not that I miss you, I don't. Sometimes, I just can't believe you happened.” It's evident that you've completely moved on from your partner and no longer long for them. However, the way that the relationship unfolded is strange and somewhat unsettling. It seems almost surreal that it existed at all; the dynamics feel less like a genuine connection and more like an event that briefly captured your attention. Reflecting on that time, it feels as though it belonged to a different world, and the reality of it all seems almost dreamlike, leaving you to question how such an experience was a part of your life. “It's not like I'd ever change a thing, 'cause I'm right here where I'm meant to be. Not that I'd call you, I won't. Sometimes, I just can't believe you happened.” Although it feels fictional, you wouldn't change a thing that occurred. What was meant to happen in your life happened, and now you are in a much better place. Perhaps this chapter of your life was meant to teach you what love truly is and what it is not. And it's not like you're going to pick up the phone and call him back; you don't need reassurance that it happened.
“Were we just mistaken? Disguised our intentions? Our nest was a masquerade (Masquerade).” You might have entered this relationship without being clear about your intentions or theirs. Now, you may feel that the two of you were a mistake, as you were both lost and decided to come together. It’s like experiencing one of those moments in life when you’re unsure about where you are or where you’re heading, and everything seems like a blur altogether. Your relationship is like a masquerade, where both of you were hidden from each other, just as guests are at a masquerade party. “Why do I still protect you? Pretend these songs aren't about you (Songs aren't about you). Hope this might be the last one, 'cause I'm not fooling anyone.” This sentiment is more directed at Ariana than at us, as she continuously composes songs about her ex-husband. It often feels like she’s attempting to muffle the truth of their rough relationship, as if she’s trying to shield him from the more brutal realities of their past. However, it’s clear to many that these efforts to shield the truth are transparent; she isn’t fooling anyone with her attempts to protect his image.
"It's not like I'm over you. It's so strange, I don't miss you
Not that I miss you, I don't. Sometimes, I just can't believe
You happened"
It feels oddly abrupt to be moving on from this person so quickly, especially considering that it typically takes you much longer to process and let go of things. At times, it seems surreal to think about everything that occurred between the two of you. The final moments of the song are particularly striking; the melody gradually fades away, leaving only Ariana's voice behind. I interpreted this as a metaphor for waking up from a dream—a return to reality after being paralyzed in a twilight zone of emotions. It’s as if she's navigating the delicate shift between fantasy and reality, with her voice performing as the only connection to what used to be.
Grande, Ariana. “twilight zone.” eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead. Republic Records, 2025. Apple Music, https://music.apple.com/us/album/twilight-zone/1800579610?i=1800580280
The Twilight Zone. Created by Rod Serling, CBS, 1959-1964.
