Happy Anniversary

This song was inspired by Justin's grandmother who had died with cancer a few years previous. The tune is written in the eyes of his sick grandma and the things she would like to say to her surviving family. The guys said that it's one of the darkest songs they've ever written.

I'm not sure if it's intentional, but I think part of the power of this song is that at first it can be misconstrued as a breakup song, and then at some point there is a sobering paradigm shift where you realize that it is actually much, much darker than that.

Let me try to walk you through this experience:

Drain me slowly of the will to fight Glowing yellow in the bedroom light There is a terror in your eyes tonight Something awful has you wrapped in white Take me in your arms and hold me tight

I left out a few lines, but you can see that it is possible to interpret this first stanza as a couple, perhaps married, who are in their bedroom having an argument. And while there is love, the couple has realized that the relationship cannot last.

Cause I won't be here for long, my dear Settle our accounts Happy anniversary Show me how to calm your fears I'll do what I can

Even after this stanza the interpretation holds. The relationship is ending; one of them is moving out. Ironically, it is happening on or near their anniversary. Again they don't hate each other, but they know it must be done.

I can feel it in my bones tonight Swallowing whatever's in its sight Struggling to breathe with all my might

Perhaps the first clue is here. But still, struggling to breathe could be something that happens when you are crying or having an emotional crisis, which is understandable in the situation of a marriage falling apart.

Cause I won't be here to dry your tears Send the kids my love Happy anniversary Promise me you'll laugh, my dear, after I am gone

At this point in the listening experience, your eyes widen a bit and you start thinking "wait a minute..." You start trying to remember the words from the beginning verses but before you can, Justin launches into the final stanza:

Cause I won't be waking up, my dear Time has run its course Happy anniversary Now I'll say goodbye, my dear This will be our last Happy anniversary

With a knot in your stomach you almost feel shameful about your previous interpretation as you try to hold back tears.