I kind of think this song is about his growth as a person and performer versus the way his fans perceive him, or want to perceive him. Nick is an artist who gradually become more and more confessional and personal in his writing, culminating with 'The Boatman's Call' and I think this song was a bit of a response to those who started writing him off.
Listen to 'Saint Huck' then listen to 'Into My Arms', without Nick singing them, you'd hardly know they were written by the same person.
There is a part of him as a performer that wants to challenge his audience and take them along for the ride, but I'm sure there's also a part of him who is sensitive to the critcism (songs like 'A Box For Black Paul' and 'Scum' seem to even indicate this).
I kind of think this song is about his growth as a person and performer versus the way his fans perceive him, or want to perceive him. Nick is an artist who gradually become more and more confessional and personal in his writing, culminating with 'The Boatman's Call' and I think this song was a bit of a response to those who started writing him off.
Listen to 'Saint Huck' then listen to 'Into My Arms', without Nick singing them, you'd hardly know they were written by the same person.
There is a part of him as a performer that wants to challenge his audience and take them along for the ride, but I'm sure there's also a part of him who is sensitive to the critcism (songs like 'A Box For Black Paul' and 'Scum' seem to even indicate this).