I agree that the window in question is a metaphor, though I also kinda fun to interpret this one entirely literally. I'm not a violent person and could never envision inflicting harm on another human being, but there were times in my younger days when I did need to smash something because I clearly could not and would not smash the person whose behavior was tearing me up. I picture Fiona with a rock that she wants desperately to throw at this asshole, but she knows she can't, so the inanimate object bears the brunt of her fury. Viewed in that light, "So I had to break the window / it just had to be / it was in my way" strikes me as fairly brilliant dark comedy, and one of the best lyrics on an album that is not exactly deficient in that regard.
I agree that the window in question is a metaphor, though I also kinda fun to interpret this one entirely literally. I'm not a violent person and could never envision inflicting harm on another human being, but there were times in my younger days when I did need to smash something because I clearly could not and would not smash the person whose behavior was tearing me up. I picture Fiona with a rock that she wants desperately to throw at this asshole, but she knows she can't, so the inanimate object bears the brunt of her fury. Viewed in that light, "So I had to break the window / it just had to be / it was in my way" strikes me as fairly brilliant dark comedy, and one of the best lyrics on an album that is not exactly deficient in that regard.