I don't think this song refers to cheating; I think that "Interpol" is a concept album that explores the death of a relationship and how the male speaker reacts. This song focuses on his inability to deal with his partner's moving on. I get the feeling that the couple tried to have a loose friendship after they broke up ("Safe Without") but it doesn't work. In turn, "Try It On" is thematically the last straw for the partner; it's a plea by the speaker for him or her to come back. The partner refuses, finds someone new in "All of the Ways," and the speaker's reaction is a mix of depression, denial, and anger... though he still a refuses to let go, "Does he know that I'll wait for all time?"
I think the overall gist of the song is jealousy and the speaker's desires, however, the subtext of this piece is overwhelmingly self-depreciating. The lyric isn't it, "Make it up TO me," it's "Make it up FOR me," like the partner is having to pay penance to society and his/her self for ever dating the speaker in the first place, as if they needed to atone for some such a sin. This reveals a dark layer of the speaker, a self-hatred and insecurity, which rolls over into "The Undoing" gorgeously.
Just made an account to thank you for all the excellent comments you've made on the lyrics of this LP. I guess I've somehow always felt what this album was about but to see it written down like this... "it raised me". You've totally hit the nail on the head! Such a beautiful band. I love this site and its users ^^
Just made an account to thank you for all the excellent comments you've made on the lyrics of this LP. I guess I've somehow always felt what this album was about but to see it written down like this... "it raised me". You've totally hit the nail on the head! Such a beautiful band. I love this site and its users ^^
I don't think this song refers to cheating; I think that "Interpol" is a concept album that explores the death of a relationship and how the male speaker reacts. This song focuses on his inability to deal with his partner's moving on. I get the feeling that the couple tried to have a loose friendship after they broke up ("Safe Without") but it doesn't work. In turn, "Try It On" is thematically the last straw for the partner; it's a plea by the speaker for him or her to come back. The partner refuses, finds someone new in "All of the Ways," and the speaker's reaction is a mix of depression, denial, and anger... though he still a refuses to let go, "Does he know that I'll wait for all time?"
I think the overall gist of the song is jealousy and the speaker's desires, however, the subtext of this piece is overwhelmingly self-depreciating. The lyric isn't it, "Make it up TO me," it's "Make it up FOR me," like the partner is having to pay penance to society and his/her self for ever dating the speaker in the first place, as if they needed to atone for some such a sin. This reveals a dark layer of the speaker, a self-hatred and insecurity, which rolls over into "The Undoing" gorgeously.
It's guttural and sad. Beautiful.
Just made an account to thank you for all the excellent comments you've made on the lyrics of this LP. I guess I've somehow always felt what this album was about but to see it written down like this... "it raised me". You've totally hit the nail on the head! Such a beautiful band. I love this site and its users ^^
Just made an account to thank you for all the excellent comments you've made on the lyrics of this LP. I guess I've somehow always felt what this album was about but to see it written down like this... "it raised me". You've totally hit the nail on the head! Such a beautiful band. I love this site and its users ^^