Kissing Families

I have many ideas about what the meaning of this song could be.

1. A family situation in which the marriage is turning sour. Brian could quite easily represent the character of the young husband who can't seem to reconcile whatever the problems are between him and his wife, or he could be the son watching his parents' love and happiness deteriorate before his eyes. Either way, the rusted ring symbolizes the fading of security and bliss, which creates a painful wound for everyone. The character, be he father or son, desperately hopes that if he can put up a pleasant facade, pretending that everything is okay when it isn't, both the secret of his family's disfunction will remain hidden, and maybe he can prevent his family from falling apart. Looking around at the people he loves, it's easy to see that he wants to keep them inside that protective box, that forgotten prison where they've all been safe until this point. Today could be the day the decision to divorce is made, but then again, it might not be because, even though this is such a mess, they have been too close, too much in love for too long. So he keeps looking forward on paths sideways for the glimmer of a better future.

However, as time goes by, and things progressively get worse, he eventually has to come to grips with the fact that he spent too much time pretending, when he should have been trying to handle things realistically. Now he's come to the end of his rope, and he realizes he's actually glad to get it over with. He may be angry that it's ended this way, but a part of him can't help being relieved.

2. When I listen to the lyrics, I also see the possibility that the song could be about being on tour, while a partner waits at home for him. He has access to drugs and women, none of which his wife or girlfriend ever has to know about, but as he indulges in these things, he begins to feel guilty for betraying her. His plastic mike, his broken guitar string, and his ring start to mock him, reminders of the lie he's keeping, even as he's kissing her, but he doesn't want to be honest for fear that he might lose her.

From there, two outcomes play across my mind. One is that he confesses to her, vowing to never be untrue to her again, and she forgives him. "Soon you'll be there too" could thus stand as a warning to others who have the opportunity to do things they know they shouldn't, even if they know they can get away with it. "Thank God it's over" could mean his anger with himself for being so stupid, and his relief that it's done now.

The second outcome is that he confessed, and she ended their relationship. He may be angry with himself, but at least he doesn't have anyone to worry about anymore except himself.

3. As has been suggested, abuse is likely as well. Perhaps he's trying to cover it up, trying to lie to himself that it will be okay, but eventually he sees that he has to get out, or nothing will change. But even as he walks away, he knows that he will always be tied to the people who hurt him because they are family. Even if he never has contact with them again, he will know in his heart who and where they are, and he will probably secretly love them anyway.