i always experienced this song as very comforting one, but while listening to it for the millionth time just now, i came to realize that it might very well be another song about (or addressed to) beth orton. evidence: the snowflake reference (see "the sweetest decline"); "we are here to help her sing her songs" - it seems that ryan is subtly suggesting her musical incompetence, being "just" a singer and ever dependent on other people for her success. kind of like how in "english girls approximately" he is dissing her brother for "not knowing the blues at all". let's face it, he's just trying to get back at her for hurting him (and who could blame him ;p) - a universal theme. so in this sense, you might say it's a self-comforting song. but i also hear compassion. and so much more that's even harder to put into words. however, i absolutely adore it.
i always experienced this song as very comforting one, but while listening to it for the millionth time just now, i came to realize that it might very well be another song about (or addressed to) beth orton. evidence: the snowflake reference (see "the sweetest decline"); "we are here to help her sing her songs" - it seems that ryan is subtly suggesting her musical incompetence, being "just" a singer and ever dependent on other people for her success. kind of like how in "english girls approximately" he is dissing her brother for "not knowing the blues at all". let's face it, he's just trying to get back at her for hurting him (and who could blame him ;p) - a universal theme. so in this sense, you might say it's a self-comforting song. but i also hear compassion. and so much more that's even harder to put into words. however, i absolutely adore it.