This song is about a girl that had a profound effect on him because of her unique ability to be her true Self and not be or act like anyone else. He adores this about her and tries to do the same. Ironically, the solution to his 'not being himself' is to be more like someone else: "I aim to be more like you." He can't change who he is: always trying to be something he's not.
The ghost in the first verse refers to his true Self who's locked inside him (in his "house"). This Self is trying to get out: "rattling handles on every door." He wants her to show him how to let this side of himself out: "show us an open window or two" (open my eyes, perhaps?). "Us" refers to both his external Self and internal Self. The metaphor of his body = house is continued in the chorus: "doors were starting to close" (should be "were" not "are") and "you're a skeleton key opening me."
The chorus also introduces a flower metaphor that sets up the second verse: girl = flower. It primarily ties into the main theme of originality, but I think it also refers to sex. The sex part of the flower metaphor says it was almost too late (doors were closing, about to lock his Self inside for good), but she saved him by having sex with him: "drew a rose." It's during sex that he becomes his true Self. Here's the originality part: When flowers reproduce, their offspring are genetically unique, allowing for adaptation to a new environment if necessary (thanks wikipedia). Hence "the flowers of adaptation": this girl stands out from the millions of other girls. The unique flowers (the girl) unfold (during sex) and this sounds the alarm/rings the bell (door bell? - house metaphor) telling him that she is special, she's the one. She's always been the one and always will be. The originality theme continues with stripes (each tiger has unique stripes) and rare birds (though I'm not sure what 'bow ideal' means). Maybe a nature theme is hidden in there: flowers/tigers/birds/sex.
Also, the drums in the intro are the sound of his inner Self knocking to get out. And the 'build-up' at the bridge ("always were and always will be") sounds very much like the climax of sex, after which, his ghost/true Self comes screaming out.
@KingsToMe
I think when he says "bow ideal" it's actually "beau ideal". I think it fits in with the rest of your interpretation where the person he is mentioning is the ideal model of rare birds or rare women.
@KingsToMe
I think when he says "bow ideal" it's actually "beau ideal". I think it fits in with the rest of your interpretation where the person he is mentioning is the ideal model of rare birds or rare women.
This song is about a girl that had a profound effect on him because of her unique ability to be her true Self and not be or act like anyone else. He adores this about her and tries to do the same. Ironically, the solution to his 'not being himself' is to be more like someone else: "I aim to be more like you." He can't change who he is: always trying to be something he's not.
The ghost in the first verse refers to his true Self who's locked inside him (in his "house"). This Self is trying to get out: "rattling handles on every door." He wants her to show him how to let this side of himself out: "show us an open window or two" (open my eyes, perhaps?). "Us" refers to both his external Self and internal Self. The metaphor of his body = house is continued in the chorus: "doors were starting to close" (should be "were" not "are") and "you're a skeleton key opening me."
The chorus also introduces a flower metaphor that sets up the second verse: girl = flower. It primarily ties into the main theme of originality, but I think it also refers to sex. The sex part of the flower metaphor says it was almost too late (doors were closing, about to lock his Self inside for good), but she saved him by having sex with him: "drew a rose." It's during sex that he becomes his true Self. Here's the originality part: When flowers reproduce, their offspring are genetically unique, allowing for adaptation to a new environment if necessary (thanks wikipedia). Hence "the flowers of adaptation": this girl stands out from the millions of other girls. The unique flowers (the girl) unfold (during sex) and this sounds the alarm/rings the bell (door bell? - house metaphor) telling him that she is special, she's the one. She's always been the one and always will be. The originality theme continues with stripes (each tiger has unique stripes) and rare birds (though I'm not sure what 'bow ideal' means). Maybe a nature theme is hidden in there: flowers/tigers/birds/sex.
Also, the drums in the intro are the sound of his inner Self knocking to get out. And the 'build-up' at the bridge ("always were and always will be") sounds very much like the climax of sex, after which, his ghost/true Self comes screaming out.
@KingsToMe I think when he says "bow ideal" it's actually "beau ideal". I think it fits in with the rest of your interpretation where the person he is mentioning is the ideal model of rare birds or rare women.
@KingsToMe I think when he says "bow ideal" it's actually "beau ideal". I think it fits in with the rest of your interpretation where the person he is mentioning is the ideal model of rare birds or rare women.