my interpretation: in a relationship, one is torn between the urge to be faithful and the need for freedom. "the eraser" in the song represents the instrument of detachment, with which one "erases" obligations, connections, memories, and facts; out of fear, for convenience, or selfishness. hence the more one tries to erase reality the more it comes rolling back in spite of it all. thom may be talking about an unfaithful, detached, or scatterbrained girlfriend, and sees shades of her weaknesses in himself too.
"i never gave you an encouragement" is particularly interesting. one tries to make themselves important to their significant other... maybe thom is regretting that he can be a detached, head-in-the-clouds person sometimes.
my interpretation: in a relationship, one is torn between the urge to be faithful and the need for freedom. "the eraser" in the song represents the instrument of detachment, with which one "erases" obligations, connections, memories, and facts; out of fear, for convenience, or selfishness. hence the more one tries to erase reality the more it comes rolling back in spite of it all. thom may be talking about an unfaithful, detached, or scatterbrained girlfriend, and sees shades of her weaknesses in himself too.
"i never gave you an encouragement" is particularly interesting. one tries to make themselves important to their significant other... maybe thom is regretting that he can be a detached, head-in-the-clouds person sometimes.