Nica Libres at Dusk

So can we all say it again - another incredible, poetic, and perhaps esoteric song from Ben. So good.

My general interpretation of this song, is that Ben is commenting on the inaction of society as problems ravage the world, and the desire to escape and self indulge. The protagonists of his song seem to be a couple in declining health (“my health receding”) and perhaps mental state and seemingly isolated and wanting to escape (“Door is locked”, “reading the evacauation procedures”, “dreaming of Caribbean”.

Then comes in what my opinion is the real power of the song in the chorus.

“While the faithful dispose of a generation And all of the mountains mumble/whisper knowingly”

This is a beautiful line which to me is saying that the people we put faith in (politicians, role models, celebrities) are harming the world for the next generation and the mountains (aka the wise natural world) is unsurprised knowing humanity’s mistake-ridden track record over the years. Further, the protagonist is passive (“I order a colata, sit and count my dollars”). Then Ben ends the chorus with an evocative “Perpetually” which to me means that this apathy and inaction is ongoing.

Such a cool song.

I feel that this is the kind of song that sounds like a bunch of quasi-poetic gibberish until you get it. That means, until it means something to you personally. What the meaning was to Ben Howard doesn't really matter, only how it moves you personally.

To me, this speaks to a personal experience of an ended relationship. The relationship is in decline and ending. She is vocal about it, how she wants to leave (reading the evacuation procedures outloud) while he remains still and is unable to express himself (door is locked, gums are bleeding).

She wants to leave and be somewhere else (dreaming of caribbean...) He is comfortable with the status quo (sit and count my dollars) and remains in that state. However, is this situation enough for the rest of his life, or should he have done more with it?

What really hits me though, is that if you (or I) read between the lines, they end up doing the same thing. To me this is expressed by saying that she is dreaming of being in the Caribbean drinking Nica Libres under a setting sun, while he is ordering a Colada while watching birds fly. It's not literal, but two different ways of experiencing basically the same thing (relaxing and have a drink). So they go apart for not wanting the same, while ending up doing the same independently of each other.

Again, this is what it means to me and is by no means my idea of what was meant by Ben Howard. I think it's a true piece of art, in the eye of the beholder.