| The Walkmen – Four Provinces Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| @maureen: You have his sentiment correct, but the last line is incorrect and the overall tone of the song is missed with just those two wrong words. He loves her, and is committed, but feels alone. Check out my post. | |
| The Walkmen – Four Provinces Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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@generalguyz has the closest lyrics thus far, and I've edited them after two live shows and listening on my studio gear. The most important change: the last line is "honey, where are you?". The song is dark and brooding. There are some happy sentiments in the song, his loving commitment and hope for happiness for her and with her, but it is shadowed by a doubt and loneliness. The story begins with him encouraging her to come out to a party to get over a sadness, ex. "ah come on, let's go to Sophia's and have a drink. It will make you feel better." The tone changes at the next party, ex. "we'll fall right back in line", suggesting that it has become an unhealthy routine. Partying did not cheer her up, but instead has become a continuous avenue of escape from her grief. It is no longer him encouraging her to have fun, but the peer pressure of their friends (ex. "come on, be a good friend. Drink with us have a good time") drawing her deeper into the habit. The words tell us he is watching from afar, suggesting he feels distanced from her, and saddened to see her still hurt. Both statements about the light in her eyes are expressions of affection and reassurance that are falling on deaf ears. Ex. "Am I getting through? You're beautiful and I still see hope. It'll get better." Then he reaffirms his commitment to her, with love and pity (meekly suggesting co-dependence), but the last line... "Honey, where are you?" The last line conveys his loneliness loudly... she doesn't see or hear or acknowledge his affection... just like all the "Am I getting through?", it says... "here I am, your ever loving friend, and where are you? Not with me, but over there drinking and partying with people who don't really give a shit". The album, You & Me, is an honest reflection on a long standing relationship, its flawed romance and hopeful struggles. But like most melodramatic lyricism, even its happy moments are cradled by pangs of nostalgia and heartbreak. Everyone has sung it, but it is excellent because The Walkmen do it perfect. Here's an excellent review: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12084-you-me/ For me, the imagery of the parties at Sophia's just pop out and come alive. Maybe it's because I have always had rowdy drunken friends, but I picture an old Irish pub, the smoke in the low lit room, the roaring laughter and shouting, clatter of glasses on the bar top, and I can almost smell the gin and cigars. It was ever more amazing live in San Francisco. |
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