Spanish Radio

I think that this song is about a relationship that is failing because neither partner is over the person they were with before.

"I'm going to walk to the water's edge"

This line is about the start of the relationship. Water is something people need to survive, and I think here the water is symbolic of how the writer needed the relationship to help him get over the past.

I think the title is a reference to where the couple first met, and "Spanish Radio", is a sound that the writer associates with that memory.

"Refuse to be cleansed but struggle in"

This suggests that the couple entered the relationship in an impure state, without having "cleansed" themselves of, or got over, their last partner. "Struggle" could mean that it was hard to make things work at first.

"Your crown don't fit so vacate the throne"

Now, in the present, the writer can see that things aren't meant to be, and she isn't the right person to wear the metaphorical crown.

"And off with your head, I need a shoulder to cry on"

I think this shows the extreme highs and lows of the relationship. The couple go from fighting (off with your head) to more intimate moments (shoulder to cry on).

CHORUS: I'm a bit less certain about this section, but i think that:

"I got a heart, I got a reason to love you all, every single person It's not at all our conversation I'm looking for total dislocation"

This is referring to a conversation the couple are having. The girl doesn't think she is his "type", and so is questioning the writer about whether he loves her as much as the girl/girls he was with before, and he is explaining that he had reasons to love all of them and doesn't think they should be talking about it (not our conversation). He wants to "dislocate" their relationship from previous things that have happened.

"I always wake to the sound of your voice"

This is a continuation of the previous conversation; he is reassuring her (and maybe trying to convince himself?) that he loves her.

"And I am floating on an ominous cloud"

The cloud is a high-up place, so could refer to how the writer now has a vantage point and can see out over things.

"This dark land looming over the hill"

From his cloud, the writer can see bad things coming for the couple.

"Maintain a holy stance and protect your children"

I'm not too sure about this line, but I think the writer could be telling the girl to go on in life without him.

CHORUS

"I got a tree , it's time to cut it to its knees"

The tree here is metaphorical for their relationship, and now the writer has seen what is coming he thinks it is time to end things.

"We got to please, we have to glisten"

Both partners feel as though they constantly have to impress the other or keep them happy.

"as I remain in splendid isolation"

This shows that although the writer is in a relationship, he still feels like he is alone and isolated which suggests that the couple are not right for each other.

CHORUS

"Hey, you can be lost at the same time as being found"

I think this means that, although they may have “found” each other, both are really lost after having their hearts broken by somebody else and just looking for someone to ease the pain, so the relationship is ultimately based upon the need for comfort than from proper love for each other.