I'm fairly sure that it's about the singer's relationship with a family member who has at some stage abandoned her.
Abandonment is suggested by line like "It used to be that when you said you were leaving, I'd want to follow you", "praying [...] for you to come around", "waiting for you, on the table" and "so I stay waiting".
It's suggested that it's a family member by lines like "the dinner table", and the fact that she is "remember[ing] praying at the dinner table" backs this up since it suggests childhood.
The desire for this family member to "maybe pat [her] on the back" also reflects a childish desire for acknowledgment, like children often crave from older siblings or parents.
The references to "Abel" suggest to me that the family member is a brother. Hence, I think the song is about an older brother who abandoned her at some stage, that she's always looked up to and wanted approval from.
Her idolisation of him is indicated by the lines "'cause to you, the moon is but a pearl" and "whole cities light up, but nothing can compare to you". The pearl being "stolen from your mother's bedside" alludes to the brother being untrustworthy, and perhaps a poor idol, which is why the singer expects 'Abel' to "hurt [her]", which I think means to 'let her down' and disappoint her.
He never lives up to the image she's created of him: "Do you see him like I do?" which is that of a sort of 'hero', when in truth he's "a vulture".
Hey, interesting interpretation! I have to say, I've always wondered what this song has meant, and I have considered it's been something along the lines of wanting approval from someone and still admiring them even though they hurt her endless times or something, and I noted the mention of Abel which left me wondering if it could be about a brother.
I think I agree with your breakdown of the song, nice! :)
Hey, interesting interpretation! I have to say, I've always wondered what this song has meant, and I have considered it's been something along the lines of wanting approval from someone and still admiring them even though they hurt her endless times or something, and I noted the mention of Abel which left me wondering if it could be about a brother.
I think I agree with your breakdown of the song, nice! :)
But you neglect to mention that she calls him "baby" and "love" throughout the song. Maybe it's just me, but that's not exactly a term of endearment I'd use for a sibling. Plus, she speaks of his mother in the song and clearly says "your" mother, not "our" mother.
But you neglect to mention that she calls him "baby" and "love" throughout the song. Maybe it's just me, but that's not exactly a term of endearment I'd use for a sibling. Plus, she speaks of his mother in the song and clearly says "your" mother, not "our" mother.
I'm fairly sure that it's about the singer's relationship with a family member who has at some stage abandoned her.
Abandonment is suggested by line like "It used to be that when you said you were leaving, I'd want to follow you", "praying [...] for you to come around", "waiting for you, on the table" and "so I stay waiting".
It's suggested that it's a family member by lines like "the dinner table", and the fact that she is "remember[ing] praying at the dinner table" backs this up since it suggests childhood.
The desire for this family member to "maybe pat [her] on the back" also reflects a childish desire for acknowledgment, like children often crave from older siblings or parents.
The references to "Abel" suggest to me that the family member is a brother. Hence, I think the song is about an older brother who abandoned her at some stage, that she's always looked up to and wanted approval from.
Her idolisation of him is indicated by the lines "'cause to you, the moon is but a pearl" and "whole cities light up, but nothing can compare to you". The pearl being "stolen from your mother's bedside" alludes to the brother being untrustworthy, and perhaps a poor idol, which is why the singer expects 'Abel' to "hurt [her]", which I think means to 'let her down' and disappoint her.
He never lives up to the image she's created of him: "Do you see him like I do?" which is that of a sort of 'hero', when in truth he's "a vulture".
Hey, interesting interpretation! I have to say, I've always wondered what this song has meant, and I have considered it's been something along the lines of wanting approval from someone and still admiring them even though they hurt her endless times or something, and I noted the mention of Abel which left me wondering if it could be about a brother. I think I agree with your breakdown of the song, nice! :)
Hey, interesting interpretation! I have to say, I've always wondered what this song has meant, and I have considered it's been something along the lines of wanting approval from someone and still admiring them even though they hurt her endless times or something, and I noted the mention of Abel which left me wondering if it could be about a brother. I think I agree with your breakdown of the song, nice! :)
But you neglect to mention that she calls him "baby" and "love" throughout the song. Maybe it's just me, but that's not exactly a term of endearment I'd use for a sibling. Plus, she speaks of his mother in the song and clearly says "your" mother, not "our" mother.
But you neglect to mention that she calls him "baby" and "love" throughout the song. Maybe it's just me, but that's not exactly a term of endearment I'd use for a sibling. Plus, she speaks of his mother in the song and clearly says "your" mother, not "our" mother.
I just don't see it.
I just don't see it.