Like The Weather Lyrics
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again.
With a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my lips as if I might cry.
Lately it seems this big bed is where I never leave.
Shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
Quiver in my voice as I cry,
Now I'm far behind.
You've put in 'bout half a day
while here I lie
with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my lip as if I might cry,
or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of this four poster dull torpor pulling downward.
For it is such a long time since my better days.
I say my prayers nightly this will pass away.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again
with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as I cry,
I shiver, quiver, and try to wake.

I think this is more than just depression - it's about sickness, and being very tired of life. And she needs someone to pull her out - to return her into her better days.
The surprising thing is that the music is actually happy, or at least danceable. Surprising, since listening to the lyrics does not make you want to dance...

the song itself is about depression, she can't even get herself out of bed. Maybe seasonal depression, but it's not all about the weather.

She says she's alone in a big bed, and at noon she mentions someone has put in half a day. Obviously the person she shares the bed with was up early and attacked the day but she didn't. Maybe she's unemployed? Maybe her lover has her locked up? Why is she going to cry because of the weather? Is her domestic partner abusive? The weather is an excuse to stay in bed. For being such a cheerful melody, this is definitely a dreadfully depressing song.

Yeah, depression. Not just "I'm depressed" depression, but real, clinical depression. This song is about someone that needs help.

but magoo, everything you said is what depression is like... not wanting to get out of bed... gloomy perspectives... that's depression, my man. so you're right it's about those things, but not about it not being about depression.

Clearly the song is about depression. If you examine the subjects of other songs by 10,000 maniacs and Natalie, you will find that most songs are about significant life experiences that many individuals live through in their lives.
I especially like the lyrics: "Do I need someone here to scold me or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of this four poster dull torpor pulling downward."
Often people close to those who are depressed handle their depression with anger....
Also I dont necessarily believe this song is about Natalie herself....could be anyone. She may not have even written the lyrics for this song (I am not really sure one way or the other)

Interesting posts which try to deny this is about depression. I'm not an expert in 10000 maniacs, but I know a little about Natalie from reading, and I'm a self-confessed expert in depression having lived with it for over 30 years. Shrink concurs.
I thought this song was rather upbeat and I couldn't figure out what she was singing given her wonderful style, so I came here. What a shock to read she'd penned my autobiography.
I'd just say anyone who wants to chime in this isn't about depression only does so out of their complete ignorance and has no idea what chronic depression is like to live with. Of course, that's just like people to have opinions about things they know nothing about and their own ego allows them to pretend to be an expert.

For it is such a long time since my better days. I say my prayers nightly this will pass away. it's not just about a rainy day. It's obviously an ongoing problem. But i do agree it's interesting the way the music contrasts to the lyrics.

ok, this song must have been writtren in london! It the greyest, most depressing place and you just don't want to drag yourself out of bed there! I just got out after 7 years!

I don't think this is about depression. It's about a cold rainy day that you don't feel like getting out of bed because you're shivering. It's only going to be colder outside of bed than inside so it's looking pretty gloomy in perspective. I doubt this is about depression.