This song has haunted me for almost a decade now. It helped me immensely the first time I (thought I) had my heart broken, and now it seems even more poignant now that I know what REAL heartbreak is. This album made me a life-long fan of 3EB, and as such I find it difficult to compare their songs to anyone else's out of sheer reverence. However, I see parallels between this song and James Blunts "Goodbye My Lover". Both are frighteningly accurate descriptions of the despair and hollow numbness that remains after love is lost. For any reason. "Goodbye" made me listen even closer to "The Background", and I realized that interpreting the specific details of the song aren't really necessary. Its not important if its a mental hospital, or if she was in a coma etc, what really matters is the emotion that everyone clearly feels when they hear this song. And that is clearly forlorn despair, and eternal regret. Nevertheless no true fan can go without sharing their theory.
To me its obvious that she is not dead, the switch between past and present tense indicates that he is swearing NOW that he would never lie to her (which shows intent and action),and that he loves her NOW. He also say he felt her after they were through, so the relationship ended. Period. Its also clear that he feels responsible for her parting, either because he did something, or perhaps didnt support her when he needed to (which is less likely as he indicates he was at her side in the hospital). I would be inclined to agree that she suffered from some kind of substance abuse, however the only real indication is the reference to red wine, which is clearly applicable to them both. This leads me to believe that the hospital is both the reason and location of the breakup. What could have occurred there to separate this carefree couple and drive this wild girl to never speak to him again after she leaves that place. The best fit for me would be an abortion that she didn't want.
This is why we find the speaker living in the shade of his former life. He thinks he keeps her memory in the back of his mind, but as a result of the passion he still feels for her, and the regret he has for his actions, that is where his consciousness resides, in that unreality. This is indicated by his deferral to familiar routines, and delusions/hope that they still have a future together.
Forgot to add that the best fit for me would be either the abortion or more likely physical abuse on his behalf given the getting "drunk on red wine and fighting" mentioned. Physical abuse and the associated guilt is an excellent fit for the situation.
Forgot to add that the best fit for me would be either the abortion or more likely physical abuse on his behalf given the getting "drunk on red wine and fighting" mentioned. Physical abuse and the associated guilt is an excellent fit for the situation.
@Calel
If you listen to God of wine after the background, it definitely feels like leaving addiction behind. Perhaps his love overdosed, or he mistreated her because of addiction and lost her that way. Both songs sound like an addict in recovery
@Calel
If you listen to God of wine after the background, it definitely feels like leaving addiction behind. Perhaps his love overdosed, or he mistreated her because of addiction and lost her that way. Both songs sound like an addict in recovery
This song has haunted me for almost a decade now. It helped me immensely the first time I (thought I) had my heart broken, and now it seems even more poignant now that I know what REAL heartbreak is. This album made me a life-long fan of 3EB, and as such I find it difficult to compare their songs to anyone else's out of sheer reverence. However, I see parallels between this song and James Blunts "Goodbye My Lover". Both are frighteningly accurate descriptions of the despair and hollow numbness that remains after love is lost. For any reason. "Goodbye" made me listen even closer to "The Background", and I realized that interpreting the specific details of the song aren't really necessary. Its not important if its a mental hospital, or if she was in a coma etc, what really matters is the emotion that everyone clearly feels when they hear this song. And that is clearly forlorn despair, and eternal regret. Nevertheless no true fan can go without sharing their theory.
To me its obvious that she is not dead, the switch between past and present tense indicates that he is swearing NOW that he would never lie to her (which shows intent and action),and that he loves her NOW. He also say he felt her after they were through, so the relationship ended. Period. Its also clear that he feels responsible for her parting, either because he did something, or perhaps didnt support her when he needed to (which is less likely as he indicates he was at her side in the hospital). I would be inclined to agree that she suffered from some kind of substance abuse, however the only real indication is the reference to red wine, which is clearly applicable to them both. This leads me to believe that the hospital is both the reason and location of the breakup. What could have occurred there to separate this carefree couple and drive this wild girl to never speak to him again after she leaves that place. The best fit for me would be an abortion that she didn't want.
This is why we find the speaker living in the shade of his former life. He thinks he keeps her memory in the back of his mind, but as a result of the passion he still feels for her, and the regret he has for his actions, that is where his consciousness resides, in that unreality. This is indicated by his deferral to familiar routines, and delusions/hope that they still have a future together.
Forgot to add that the best fit for me would be either the abortion or more likely physical abuse on his behalf given the getting "drunk on red wine and fighting" mentioned. Physical abuse and the associated guilt is an excellent fit for the situation.
Forgot to add that the best fit for me would be either the abortion or more likely physical abuse on his behalf given the getting "drunk on red wine and fighting" mentioned. Physical abuse and the associated guilt is an excellent fit for the situation.
@Calel I always felt like she was in an accident or attempted suicide as a result of his actions/ lies/betrayal
@Calel I always felt like she was in an accident or attempted suicide as a result of his actions/ lies/betrayal
@Calel If you listen to God of wine after the background, it definitely feels like leaving addiction behind. Perhaps his love overdosed, or he mistreated her because of addiction and lost her that way. Both songs sound like an addict in recovery
@Calel If you listen to God of wine after the background, it definitely feels like leaving addiction behind. Perhaps his love overdosed, or he mistreated her because of addiction and lost her that way. Both songs sound like an addict in recovery