I reckon Philips his friend, either a real guy or just invented for the song. I never thought this was about potential suitors, I thought it was about a friend of his who's got mixed up with the wrong guys. It would seem a bit bitter for him to assume that anyone else as a lover would completely destroy them. I think its a love song but a love song for his friend whom he still cares about and doesn't want to see throw his life away. Even though in the past it seems 'philip' betrayed him, he's prepared to let go as its too important and he doesn't ultimately want to lose his friend.
I reckon Philips his friend, either a real guy or just invented for the song. I never thought this was about potential suitors, I thought it was about a friend of his who's got mixed up with the wrong guys. It would seem a bit bitter for him to assume that anyone else as a lover would completely destroy them. I think its a love song but a love song for his friend whom he still cares about and doesn't want to see throw his life away. Even though in the past it seems 'philip' betrayed him, he's prepared to let go as its too important and he doesn't ultimately want to lose his friend.