The Wire

Aw, bless, these lyrics are kind of a hot mess.

The biggest one is that the chorus is "But I fumbled it, when it came down to the wire."

Anyway, love Haim. Wish it was more Este and Alana like on the live version(s)? I assumed this song was a cover upon first hearing it; pleasantly surprised to find it was one of their own -- a real testament to their talent/specificity/uniqueness.

I think this a fairly straight forward song about commitment issues. It's about how the writer of the song struggles to keep a relationship going once things get serious as maybe they love the power of dumping someone or just struggle with the concept of commitment to one person. The music video supports this theory as all three are shown finishing relationships with their respective partners. I love this song I just think their voices just ooze sexiness especially Danielle's

I just fell in love with this song when I first heard it. the tune is so upbeat and it has this really... I want to say retro? feeling to it.

I think this song might be about having a long distance relationship, cheating on the boyfriend, possibly falling in love with a different guy, and then trying to break up with the boyfriend.

She tries to break it to him easy... "You know there's no rhyme or reason For the way you (our relationship) turned out to be I didn't go and try to change my mind (about being in love with you) Not intentionally

She repeats what her boyfriend told her, "Always keep your heart locked tight. Don't let your mind retire" (Keep your heart for me. Don't let your mind be overwhelmed in a moment of temptation)

Then she says how she tried... "Well, I try to keep myself together After all the opportunities Try to stay true to you and try to do What you wanted from me"

And then goes on to explain how she's fallen in love with some one else... "Oh, but I just couldn't take it I tried hard not to fake it But I fumbled and when it came down to the wire...It felt right"

He's tried to ignore tell-tale signs that this has been going down so she drives her point home and tries to tell him he will be alright... "The way you use your imagination Try to make it what you want it to be Because I'm sorry I did what I did But it came naturally"

"I know it's hard to hear me say it But I can't bear to stay And I just know, I know, I know, I know That you're gonna be okay anyway"

It's pretty straight-forward. Someone's having big commitment issues - the tension in the song is from wanting to be real and honest but also 'Keep your heart locked tight' is what the singer believes she needs to do.

But that's the opposite of being open and real and communicating... which is why she finds it so hard to do even though she knows it's what she is 'supposed' to do.

It's an awesome song, what makes it is the coolness of the main voice. It sounds a bit Tom Petty like near the end. I know they've said they are big fans.
Saw them perform this on SNL which was awesome.

I love the line about trying hard NOT to fake it... but she "fumbles it when it came down to the wire" meaning she tries hard to stay open and keep it real but when the relationship or situation heats up, she shuts down or just says what she needs to say to back away.

It sounds like she's also saying things just to protect herself, or the guy. Something we've all done.... "it's not me it's you".

I think the person she is singing about in this song uses their head more than their heart. She acknowleges that their relationship feels "right" when they are together. However, when 'push comes to shove' her partners heart is'nt as invested into the relationship as what hers is, so she has to end things. She is also saying that its painful that her 'ex' will handle the break up better than her (with a happy boppy spin to it).

If something goes to the wire, it continues until the last possible moment.

Did Danielle Haim and Julian Casablancas have a fling on tour when she played in his solo band?? Dude was married at the time but I have questions.MANY questions

Before I go into my full thoughts, I have to say that the video really helps the meaning of the song. The song is most likely a song summing the entire cliche of "it's not you, it's me (I don't feel that way about you anymore....)". The idea behind it is that the relationship has become very one-sided, the other side realizes the best is to end it, and is trying to do so in the easiest way.

The language of the lyrics definitely points to this. "I didn't go and try to change my mind/Not intentionally" implies that the dumper realizes their feelings have changed, and that they tried to fake the love they once had. The Wire was just the point where they stretched out their ability to actually play the lover. There is also suggestion that they might have been unfaithful or were having thoughts of other people ("Because I'm sorry I did what I did/But, it came naturally" and "Well, I try to keep myself together/After all the opportunities/Try to stay true to you and try to do/What you wanted from me").

I do think though that this is a case of faded feelings because they still want the best for the other person. The fact they know they'll "be okay anyway" is the major indicator. Instead of hurting the in love party by just faking it, they know that it is best if they breakup. They also don't want them to collapse and want them to fall for someone who doesn't like them ("Always keep your heart locked up") or collapse and become stuck in the past love ("Don't let your mind retire"). They want what is best and they understand that this is best.

Firstly, most of the previous comments relate to the video and if there wasn't one the meaning would be baffling. The writer obviously had a clear idea of what she meant but her execution is much to be desired. Switching from 1st to 3rd person in song is never a good idea for starters. Speaking of which, 'fumbled him' is confusing, grammatically incorrect and only in slang does it have meaning: To miss a chance for sex because of what you said on the date. So even the slang meaning doesn't correlate.

"Always keep your heart locked tight, don't let your mind retire" If she's already in the relationship why was her heart locked tight from the beginning? So, why was she in the relationship in the 1st place? Why get into a relationship with the intent to let your mind call the shots if the purpose of one is to love?

It felt great, it felt right when it came down to the wire (or finish line) What felt great? Answer: fumbling?? This is all the chorus is saying and doesn't specify what it actually means.