Southern Belle

Yeah, it is about a husband who's abusive to his wife, Elliotts stepfather to his mother, specifically. Elliott really loved his mom, but seemed to absolutely despise his stepfather, who was abusive to him, and I'm guessing from this song, also abusive to his mom.

‘I wouldn’t have you how you want.”

Pretty sinister line if it is about his stepdad. It has an unfortunate sexual connotation. Although it could also mean he simply didn't want to accept the guy as a father figure.

According to people who knew him. After he left home at 14 he had a very hard time because he was sure his stepfather was going to kill his mother if he wasn't there to intervene.

Ain't nobody looking now

Nobody nothing's said No one's about to shout Nobody's seening red

He's not there to save her. So she is killed.

its about an husband abusing his wife methinks. probably when they marry she used to be very lovely, probably a "belle"...now her life it's ruined and what she had of good (her rank as "belle") it's gone away. he deprives her of her good qualities, she's not a southern belle anymore, just a battered wife. its about killing someone's soul through abuse either physical or mental.

To me, this one is the frustrated thoughts of someone who doesn't understand why a certain girl is going for the big, loud, redneck, tough-guy a--hole, when it's obvious he doesn't treat her well. He thinks he can offer her more, but the fact that he can't makes him angry. He sees her being tarnished and degraded by someone not worthy of her. And maybe, she even wants to be treated that way, because it's all she knows. I think it's also about being an outsider in a place where you're outnumbered by people with a more primitive mindset than yours ("I live in a southern town/where all you can do is grit your teeth"). You can't really do anything about it. Elliott grew up in Texas, by the way.

it's about his mom and his stepfather.

Yes, it's about Charlie Welch. Very emotional and raw.

its been said that steven's step-father sexually abused him

i really like the part "how come you're not ashamed of what you are?". at the same time he's saying that he hates this person, but also that he is somehow ashamed over who he is, wondering how it comes that this horrible person thinks he's a good person, while elliott can't accept himself.

its slightly oedipal isn't it? especially to those who weren't aware that it was about his mom and step-dad, it seems as though he wishes he was the "one she got". great song though, wish he was still alive to give us more of the same, R.I.P.