When I sat down on the bed next to you
You started to cry
I said, maybe if I leave, you'll want me
To come back home
Or maybe all you mean, is leave me alone
At least that's what you said

You're irresistible when you get mad
Isn't it sad, I'm immune
I thought it was cute
For you to kiss
My purple black eye
Even though I caught it from you
I still think we're serious
At least that's what you said


Lyrics submitted by eastcidskl

At Least That's What You Said Lyrics as written by Jeff Tweedy

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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At Least That's What You Said song meanings
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  • +2
    My Interpretation

    I think the lyrics are specifically referring to him hitting her while on pills. This song is a confession and apology to his wife. Each line is a quote from her. The use of the line "At least that's what you said" is very effective at displaying how doubtful he is in them both.

    He references hitting a lover once in She's a Jar as well. Seeing as the rest of the album is about rehab and reformation, it would make sense for this scene to be the catalyst for his admission to a facility.

    The line "maybe if I leave you'll want me to come back home" seems to indicate this. He's leaving to go to rehab, so maybe once he's cured she won't hate him anymore.

    The next song is about admission to the rehab facility and it's surreal nature to him. He hated the idea of going but once he got there he realized it wasn't the horrible place he had wanted it to be.

    Spiders is about withdrawals.

    The rest of the album details his struggle with remorse and as he slowly gains back his mental clarity. He gives the middle finger to religion's monopoly on his morality in Theologians. In Less Than You Think he finds his inner strength. He stops making excuses and just starts doing what he knows he should.

    He recognizes that there's a part of him that will always seek self-destruction in I'm a Wheel, but the album ends with a celebration of the self love he has found again.

    Anyway, I feel like the album has a full story arc which is why I included the other songs in this analysis. It's the beginning of a desperate vie for his health and the person he loves, and concludes after a journey of transformation into the person he has become.

    dellie1042on June 07, 2017   Link

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