Raincoat Song

Mmm. Beautiful little song. Yes, this is a girl that is frustrated and angry that the "cherubim" (you know, cupid) haven't "drawn their bows" toward her yet, that love hasn't come her way.

But this song is really about what that does to her. She's angry and frustrated and down (that is her "rain") but she hides it and runs away from it - stays inside with her fluffy pillows where she's comfortable, doing nothing more than "heaving her fiercest sigh" as if that would make a difference. And when she is in this rain -- her gloom, her defeated state -- she just puts on a raincoat and tries to protect herself and stay comfortable, and ironically all that brings is more rain. And when the rain comes up she'll "wear her britches tight", and you can imagine what that means metaphorically. Think where the phrase "loosen your britches" comes from, or "loosen up" even. It's the opposite.

It's a wonderful little metaphor. It's about getting into a rut, and the vicious cycles that keep us there. I love how Meloy makes it so personal, yet, subtle, with the speaker telling this story, and talking directly to her in first person - "I should teach you right" - it's quite a beautiful song with tons of weight to it. And the moral, of course, is that we shouldn't try too hard to protect ourselves from the sorrows of the world as that just makes more sorrow. Ironically, it's not like rain - we can control it. We can't expect good fortune to come to us without trying, we have to quit moping around, quit worrying, get out into the world and make things happen for ourselves! A wonderful sentiment.

Now, now, children.

I'm sure we all have our differing opinions over the criteria for Colin's finest. This certainly isn't "Dracula's Daughter," so we'll play it cool here.

I think this song is sort of like Ben Folds' "Annie Waits," in that I think it's about a girl who has been waiting for the perfect guy forever. However, the "raincoat" that she wears, which can be seen as protecting herself from being hurt in love, only makes it harder for her to find someone because she's too afraid to leave her comfort zone and take off the "raincoat." It all just results in frustration.

Does anyone have any idea why this song isn't on iTunes yet? I really want to get it, but I'm a poor college student who is too cheap to acutally purchase the album...haha.

I personally love this song (then again, I love all Decemberists song... including Dracula's Daughter). It's a sweet, delicate metaphor for all those people who are trying to protect themselves from harm but, eventually can't. And they see their lives passing before their eyes, missing so many beautiful moments because they are too afraid of revealing themselves and opening their heart. Such an intimate song.

well, holybuble

you're a complete idiot. have you even listened to the song? and what are these so called "hipsters" you're talking about? last time i checked, good song writing was not indicative of a hipster air.

I saw The Decemberists the other night at the Crystal Ballroom here in Portland-- this song was astonishing live. I'll spew what i feel the song means when it's not way too late in the night/early in the morning.

It's hard for me to come to a conclusion about the meaning behind the song because i just picture myself on all the days when i've worn my raincoat biking before it started to rain. It's definitley about how one lives their life and personal boundaries but it's as if it's sung and written so beautifully in the context that no explanation of this symbolism is worthy of being said.

Oops, wrong spot.

Again: AH, cherubim! That is what it was. I couldn't for the life of me figure that one out.

my name is caroline and i used to be just like this... I <3 decemberists!

Sad spinster girl. I like the double-entendre with "half-cocked". It can refer to a gun that can't fire properly, echoing the Cupid's arrows that aren't hitting her, or another sort of gun that only gets halfway there before he realizes the girl is a disappointment.