This is one of Ben's most beautiful works. I'm not really convinced by any of the previous interpretations.
I believe "war" is a metaphor for dating or being single. Ben is missing the war by being in this marriage (or extended relationship). I think married life is too quiet for him. He craves being "free" again. This marriage possibly prevents him from pursuing some dream of his ("dreams may die"). He is not happy with being cooped up, yet he is too loyal and caring to give up on his marriage ("The shaking voice that tells him go/Still thinks he might/He knows he won't"). His loved one doesn't even know he is unhappy ("She doesn't know he wasn't meant for this"). The guy thinks about the "world outside" every night until "beads of sunlight hit me in the morning."
This song is so great because it is about conflicting emotions, which is very typical of Ben's music, but which is also what makes his songs so brilliant: we all as humans constantly feel conflicting emotions, and life is about dealing with those feelings. In this song, though Ben yearns to be out in the world again, he doesn't have the courage to break away from the stability of his current marital life.
Very well said. I believe Ben said an interview that that is what it's about. I originally took the literal meaning and thought it was about a war veteran back home with his wife, maybe missing the action or the adrenaline rush (think "Hurt Locker") or it, and he wasn't meant for civilian life. Both takes on it are interesting I think. That's part of the awesomeness of the metaphors Ben uses - they could have many different meanings.
Very well said. I believe Ben said an interview that that is what it's about. I originally took the literal meaning and thought it was about a war veteran back home with his wife, maybe missing the action or the adrenaline rush (think "Hurt Locker") or it, and he wasn't meant for civilian life. Both takes on it are interesting I think. That's part of the awesomeness of the metaphors Ben uses - they could have many different meanings.
This is one of Ben's most beautiful works. I'm not really convinced by any of the previous interpretations.
I believe "war" is a metaphor for dating or being single. Ben is missing the war by being in this marriage (or extended relationship). I think married life is too quiet for him. He craves being "free" again. This marriage possibly prevents him from pursuing some dream of his ("dreams may die"). He is not happy with being cooped up, yet he is too loyal and caring to give up on his marriage ("The shaking voice that tells him go/Still thinks he might/He knows he won't"). His loved one doesn't even know he is unhappy ("She doesn't know he wasn't meant for this"). The guy thinks about the "world outside" every night until "beads of sunlight hit me in the morning."
This song is so great because it is about conflicting emotions, which is very typical of Ben's music, but which is also what makes his songs so brilliant: we all as humans constantly feel conflicting emotions, and life is about dealing with those feelings. In this song, though Ben yearns to be out in the world again, he doesn't have the courage to break away from the stability of his current marital life.
Very well said. I believe Ben said an interview that that is what it's about. I originally took the literal meaning and thought it was about a war veteran back home with his wife, maybe missing the action or the adrenaline rush (think "Hurt Locker") or it, and he wasn't meant for civilian life. Both takes on it are interesting I think. That's part of the awesomeness of the metaphors Ben uses - they could have many different meanings.
Very well said. I believe Ben said an interview that that is what it's about. I originally took the literal meaning and thought it was about a war veteran back home with his wife, maybe missing the action or the adrenaline rush (think "Hurt Locker") or it, and he wasn't meant for civilian life. Both takes on it are interesting I think. That's part of the awesomeness of the metaphors Ben uses - they could have many different meanings.