Black Treacle

Seriously guys, do you always resort to drugs when you can't figure out what a song means.

It's in the title, Black Treacle. If you don't know what a treacle is, then it's understandably that you'd never figure out the meaning of the song. Treacle, in normal conversation, is a sticky molasses-like substance. However, the key is in it's alternative meaning as a term of endearment.

I think the song meaning is pretty clear once you understand that. It seems like he is singing about a dating situation from the point of view from the guy.

Lately I�ve been seeing things, Belly button piercings, in the sky at night, When we�re side by side.

Sets the scene of what was supposed to be a romantic evening, staring at the stars.

And I don�t mean to rain on anybody�s cabriolet One of those games your gonna lose, But you wanna play it just in case.

A cabriolet is sort of like a carriage, ties back the previous stanza and indicates that the guy isn't out to hurt someone but he has clearly done so in the past. The game is the game of dating. He knows he's not always going to find a successful relationship, and in fact - it seems like he typically doesn't. However, despite past failures he continues to "play".

Now its getting dark and the sky looks sticky, More like Black Treacle (than tar?) Black Treacle, Somebody told the stars you are not coming out tonight, So they found a place to hide.

It has a dual meaning here, where the sky is getting cloudy/hazy. The stars are being hidden and the scene is not the picturesque romance it was meant to be. The stars also seem to be the girl he is with, as the relationship starts to fall apart. He is finding out that she isn't responding well to his advances, keeps drawing away, perhaps thinking he is not genuine (hence the "dark" treacle).

Does it help you stay up late? Does it help you concentrate? Does it tune you in when you chew your chin? Am I ruining your fun?

He is asking why she is backing away. He plays the victim here, wondering if it was all just a malicious joke.

And you talk the talk alright, But do you walk the walk or catch the train? You wanted it, you�ve got it, But you don�t want it now.

She talked exactly the way he expected, but he wants to know if she acts in that fashion or just jumps onto to a "train" to the next guy. She drew him in, she got him, and she dumped him - seemingly rejecting how he really is.

Now i'm out of place and I�m not getting any wiser, I feel like the Sundance Kid behind a synthesiser, And I tried last night to pack away a laugh, Like a key under the mat, But it never seems to be there when you want it.

It seems like this has happened previously to the guy. If he wants the girl, he cannot be himself. He tries to laugh it off, but wasn't able to find any humor in the situation so he continues with Black Treacles.