This is one of what I call TP's 'songs about blokes who are no good at relationships' and it's probably the best example because it's so subtle. Yes, it's from the point of view of a man who's been dumped, but in what he says there are clues about what the realationship was really like. For a start he quotes her as saying "don't try to save me". I've known quite a few men who deliberately seek out women who are struggling in some way in their lives, so that they can come across as the knight in shining armour rescuing the damsel. Often these relationships become very controlling and I think the woman here is saying: leave me alone, I want to make my own choices. But the man doesn't pick this up, of course, because he hasn't realised how his actions seem to her.
Even more significant I feel is his description of how she used to behave - "she let the little things go". In other words, she's been used to ignoring small misbehaviours on his part...only now things have changed, she's started to assert herself and he doesn't feel comfortable with this. So from her point of view (which he, of course, doesn't understand) the new man she's found is someone she'll be able to form a more open and honest relationship with. Her ex has given her "everything" that he thought she wanted. But that wasn't what she wanted at all. Brilliant song - well done TP!
This is one of what I call TP's 'songs about blokes who are no good at relationships' and it's probably the best example because it's so subtle. Yes, it's from the point of view of a man who's been dumped, but in what he says there are clues about what the realationship was really like. For a start he quotes her as saying "don't try to save me". I've known quite a few men who deliberately seek out women who are struggling in some way in their lives, so that they can come across as the knight in shining armour rescuing the damsel. Often these relationships become very controlling and I think the woman here is saying: leave me alone, I want to make my own choices. But the man doesn't pick this up, of course, because he hasn't realised how his actions seem to her.
Even more significant I feel is his description of how she used to behave - "she let the little things go". In other words, she's been used to ignoring small misbehaviours on his part...only now things have changed, she's started to assert herself and he doesn't feel comfortable with this. So from her point of view (which he, of course, doesn't understand) the new man she's found is someone she'll be able to form a more open and honest relationship with. Her ex has given her "everything" that he thought she wanted. But that wasn't what she wanted at all. Brilliant song - well done TP!