Reflections of the Marionette

Personally I think that this entire song is a metaphor for temptation of any sort. Although it comes from the angle of prostitution I think that is the general meaning. "Find a line of meathooks on display (Does your conscience lose its way?)" That line is more than just him seeing her victims. This is more about how it traps you. Any temptation is a set back; eventually you will leave the hook but it leaves you trapped. Something no one has talked about is how the entire song is in third person except for the chorus. This story isn't about the writer. That's why it's called reflections of the Marionette. The song goes through the thought process of temptation and how temptation affects us all. That's why he uses the metaphor of "And in the streets the sirens sings." He uses metaphors throughout the song to detach himself from this "reflection." The reason you don't just go for the easy prostitution point is because in the chorus he says "you just got here too late," insignifying that there was something that they should have been there for. maybe a marriage, a relationship, or a job right? But if you think about it, all temptations are structured in a form of "lateness." "I'm already on a diet so it's too late to take a cheat day." Or maybe the temptation to watch one more youtube video, it's too late, you might wake up late or not own up to obligations. Maybe I'm reading too far in to it but if you look at the song or listen to his tones he doesn't feel hurt. Maybe it's the limitation of the artist but i feel like if it was him missing a prostitute he would sound more hurt. In general though, Two Gallant's lyrics are so interesting and insightful that I think it isn't something as surface level as what it portrays

Is it about a guy who has got over a girl, and rebuilt his life just to have her walk back in and try to take him back?

I would say this song is the story of a break up, and the process of moving on. To me "I dont want to see you fall I just want to see you fail" is a statement of wanting a person to fail and realize it as opposed to just falling to pieces permanently.

I always thought this song was about a prostitute who happened to look like his former lover from a failed relationship.

I perceive it to be a girl who ripped out his heart and he's not over it and part of him still wants her and always will even though she broke him. It's like he knows that he's being strung around (puppet pun intended) but can't completely walk away. When she pops back into his life he can't ignore her and it kills him.

I think this song is much more sinister. In the beginning I believe it's about a man who get his heart broken unwittingly by a prostitute and briefly begins to describes her arrival, roots, and mannerisms:

"The city key of where I's born's Been stolen by someone I thought I knew She blew in with some angel dust From southern state where love is lust" "Not a moment passes by She wets her lips Sweats her eyes Baits her tongue with pity for her prey (Do your best to walk away) And she transcends the avenue A smile for me, a wink for you I guess I'll take my place in yesterday"

He struggles with moving on from her and keeps grudgingly returning to her when the loneliness begins to set in at night:

"And the night is sweet the night's divine It stains your teeth with blood-red wine And leaves you lyin' in your enemy's arms And while you mumble down the hall, something 'bout a skin made wall You find you're just a sucker for her charms"

He then starts to slip into a depression and loses his sense of self due to the staunch reality that the woman he loves doesn't truly care for him as he is just another client to her:

"And the vanity that cakes her face Sucks you in to death's embrace Feel your sense of self just fade away (Spread your ashes in the tray) And see you're just a one man show And once you're done it's time to go Hear somebody's footsteps down the way"

He then visits her place of business one last time to presumably kill her and himself, as he wonders how he got to this point of lost innocence and despair when he climbs the familiar, "well worn" stairs to her room only to find her with another "meat hook on display" which is probably another client:

"And the youth protests the failing light With his shirt sleeves rolled In the humid night He wonders where it was that he went wrong And in denial while he ascends To a lofty room all dreams end He watches while his footsteps lead him on And in the fires he takes his time The well-worn steps he slowly climbs Find a line of meathooks on display (Does your conscience lose its way?) And in the streets the sirens sing What word they tell what news they bring The puppet and his cold coat's strings obeys"