This was posted by an anonymous person on Lyricinterpretations. I think it sums it up. I haven't seen a better explination.
Here:
"Cut here" was written for a friend of the band (Billy McKenzie) who committed suicide in 97. Robert Smith believed it would be the last song written by the band, therefore the title.
It's about two best friends grown apart with time, who meet again by coincidence. One friend is really happy to see the other and greets him warmly ("Three long years and your favorite man, is that anyway to say hello?! And you hold me... Like you'll never let me go..."), expecting to "sit down and talk a while". But the other is busy with daily obligations and asks to postpone it. But the friend knows they really won't have another chance to grow close again, as they are already distant:
"And over my shoulder as I walk away I see you give that look goodbye"
Looking back, the other regrets being busy with things that didn't really matter like an old friend does, and not stopping and taking the time to enjoy and cultivate their friendship. He regrets not making time for his friend so he could go on with his routine, always betting there would be time for them to catch up in the future, after everything was taken care of... "Until later doesn't always come." And it didn't come, for both the band and the subject in the song.
So, the song is about this person thinking back and bitterly regretting not doing more for their friendship, and also how he misses his friend and how he really liked him, now that he thinks of it.
I think the most heartbreaking pieces are:
"It's so hard to think it ends some time
And this could be the last
I should really hear you sing again
I should really watch you dance
Because it's hard to think I'll never get another chance
To hold you... To hold you."
"I miss you
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you so much...
How many times can I walk away and wish 'if only'?
How many times can we talk this way and wish 'if only'?
Keep on making the same mistake
Keep on aching the same heartbreak
'I wish', 'if only'...
But 'if only' is a wish too late..."
This is where he says that people always put daily schedule and obligations and chores in front of enjoying a friend's company, and so they keep growing apart from each other and becoming simply acquaintances, suffering the same heartbreak over and over... This song is ultimately about how you never know what tomorrow may bring, so you should enjoy and take care of the people you love while you still have them with you, because you never know which hug will be the last.
This was posted by an anonymous person on Lyricinterpretations. I think it sums it up. I haven't seen a better explination.
Here:
"Cut here" was written for a friend of the band (Billy McKenzie) who committed suicide in 97. Robert Smith believed it would be the last song written by the band, therefore the title. It's about two best friends grown apart with time, who meet again by coincidence. One friend is really happy to see the other and greets him warmly ("Three long years and your favorite man, is that anyway to say hello?! And you hold me... Like you'll never let me go..."), expecting to "sit down and talk a while". But the other is busy with daily obligations and asks to postpone it. But the friend knows they really won't have another chance to grow close again, as they are already distant: "And over my shoulder as I walk away I see you give that look goodbye" Looking back, the other regrets being busy with things that didn't really matter like an old friend does, and not stopping and taking the time to enjoy and cultivate their friendship. He regrets not making time for his friend so he could go on with his routine, always betting there would be time for them to catch up in the future, after everything was taken care of... "Until later doesn't always come." And it didn't come, for both the band and the subject in the song. So, the song is about this person thinking back and bitterly regretting not doing more for their friendship, and also how he misses his friend and how he really liked him, now that he thinks of it. I think the most heartbreaking pieces are: "It's so hard to think it ends some time And this could be the last I should really hear you sing again I should really watch you dance Because it's hard to think I'll never get another chance To hold you... To hold you." "I miss you I miss you I miss you I miss you I miss you I miss you so much... How many times can I walk away and wish 'if only'? How many times can we talk this way and wish 'if only'? Keep on making the same mistake Keep on aching the same heartbreak 'I wish', 'if only'... But 'if only' is a wish too late..." This is where he says that people always put daily schedule and obligations and chores in front of enjoying a friend's company, and so they keep growing apart from each other and becoming simply acquaintances, suffering the same heartbreak over and over... This song is ultimately about how you never know what tomorrow may bring, so you should enjoy and take care of the people you love while you still have them with you, because you never know which hug will be the last.