Center of the Sun

There are a few people saying the girl is a prostitute. In reading the lyrics carefully myself, I don't think that conclusion is a given. I can see why someone would draw that conclusion, but without some specific line in the song pointing more in that direction, then I would say that is definitely open for interpretation. And I would personally prefer not to draw that conclusion.

As others have pointed out, taking the lyrics at face value, the experience the girl is going through sounds a lot like "guys being guys" ... saying rude and insulting things and causing her to feel bad. From what I have seen on TV about the way prostitutes think, they have "thick skin" and don't care about insults and name calling. It's part of the job, they are use to it. I can't see a prostitute getting emotionally upset about guys being jerks.

I think we can conclude that the girl is beautiful from the second line "Music to the men." To me, that says she's pretty. The reason I bring that up is because at one point, I thought maybe she was an ugly girl who was getting made fun of. And later on a "nice guy" steps in and treats her well. But when I took a closer look at the words, I decided that wasn't the case. Right at the beginning, the sight of her is "music to the men."

There is a common saying "Music to my ears." which implies a good thing. Some employer tells the employee he's doing a great job and if he keeps it up, he'll get a raise. The employee will think "That's music to my ears."

So the men leave and the girl is upset. Again, in my opinion, a prostitute isn't going to be upset by guys being mean to her. They are use a-holes.

This girl doesn't like the verbal/psychological/mental abuse and it makes her cry. (Her eyes are red. Insinuating she's crying.)

Many people have heard the idea of finding a place "inside yourself" where you can be at peace. There is a phrase "Go to your happy place" which refers to a mental exercise of blocking out external physical and/or emotional pain.

So when she "hears violins" when she closes her eyes, I think this is her idea of happiness. It soothes her and helps her return to a peaceful state. I love the words "I am at the center of the sun"

I think that is obviously a metaphor for her "happy place" ... warmth, light, serenity, peacefulness, calm, and so on. When she finds this state of mind, she "cannot be hurt by anything this wicked world has done"

As far as the boy goes ... as others have pointed out, the boy is a standup guy so to speak. He sees the verbal abuse that is going on and is "out of his head" because of it. It bothers him greatly.

Then comes the "kicker" of the song. When he closes his eyes, he hears violins. In my opinion, this is demonstrating that they share a deep connection. Perhaps a "love at fist sight" kind of thing. He's clearly attracted to her because he says "they break the most beautiful things" and then says when he looks into HER eyes, he feels like he is at the center of the sun.

This also makes me doubt that she is a prostitute. It's possible that some guy could see a beautiful girl in that situation and fall in love with her, but I just don't think the song lyrics support the notion that she's a prostitute.

So that's what I think. I love this song. I only found it recently, but I have listened to it dozens and dozens of times. I think it's beautiful ... the music is calming and the images the song puts in my mind are very tranquil.