This song means several things to me. On a base level, it connects about nine or ten other Counting Crows songs (some that weren't even written yet) including "Hanging Tree" "Washington Square" "Mr. Jones" "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" "Holiday in Spain" and "Round Here".
Beyond that, the song is an expression of regret for Adam: regret for what he's become, regret for how the people and world has changed around him and nothing is as it was. It's a curse against change and cry for it to stop. It's confessional, it's raw, and it's so chock-full of emotions. This song was written at a time when Adam wasn't as angry as he is now, and so it's interesting to see something like this come up at the same time as "Mr. Jones" and "A Murder of One" which are emotional in a sadder way.
This song means several things to me. On a base level, it connects about nine or ten other Counting Crows songs (some that weren't even written yet) including "Hanging Tree" "Washington Square" "Mr. Jones" "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" "Holiday in Spain" and "Round Here".
Beyond that, the song is an expression of regret for Adam: regret for what he's become, regret for how the people and world has changed around him and nothing is as it was. It's a curse against change and cry for it to stop. It's confessional, it's raw, and it's so chock-full of emotions. This song was written at a time when Adam wasn't as angry as he is now, and so it's interesting to see something like this come up at the same time as "Mr. Jones" and "A Murder of One" which are emotional in a sadder way.
It's about identity, and the loss thereof.