The Wife, the Kids, and the White Picket Fence Lyrics

Lyric discussion by jsoza 

Cover art for The Wife, the Kids, and the White Picket Fence lyrics by Fair to Midland

I'm thinking this song is from the point of view of a guy that watched and maybe encouraged a "perfect couple" to get together while he actually had a thing for the woman, maybe they were friends/lovers.

But the guy knows that the husband wasn't deserving (bastard child, i.e. father not around?), knows they're struggling, and waits and watches to see if the wife is going to stick it out in the bad relationship or leave the husband and come to him. "I'd rather follow who cleans up the mess" indicates he's not the kind to speak up and actively do something about the situation, but still the waiting and watching (or having an affair) creates anxiety and stress, and thus "burns at both [their] good ends."

Just a thought!

My Interpretation

so, i am a new user and this is my first song analysis. dont judge harshly please

first of all, i agree with AuntieEm&UncleSam about the analysis of the line: "mail order brides turtle necks and trophy wives had the ways and means to breach the borders of easy street" But, i also think that FTM is comparing 2 married couples no child.

when he says "we all surround them in a white picket fence" he means that we glorify a family that looks that well off even though there is no love in the couple....