The Stops Lyrics

Lyric discussion by quarterto 

Cover art for The Stops lyrics by Elbow

It's about alcohol abuse.

"These are soberer days" I take literally. And "...you miss the sea" refers to another kind of liquid. This makes lines like "those friends that are holding your net", "remind you who you are" and "there's the shiniest soul just behind those eyes" a little more meaningful.

It's not necessarily not about a breakup though; maybe she left him because she didn't want or think she needed his help.

Song Meaning