Lesson Learned

First of all I just want to say I think this song is absolutely brilliant, and the fact that he allows his audience to come up with their own interpretations makes it all the more magical. This song hit home for me, and I think many others. I believe we've all been with someone, or at least witnessed other relationships, where someone refuses to play any role other than the victim.

To me, the lines in the song which imply that he has been unfaithful are merely sarcastic. It seems he was in a relationship with this girl, who either constantly accused him of cheating, or constantly predicted it. Almost anyone who has been with someone like this knows it can be completely annoying and a surefire way to push someone away. The more she pushed, the more his feelings strayed. The more she clung and accused,and treated him badly, the stronger he got.

So finally, after all she has put him through, he moves on and basically says, "You're surprised?" He "wears the brand of traitor" because she is of course the "victim," but he no longer cares.

I've been in a relationship like this, where no matter how hard you try to convince someone you love them and you would never treat them badly, they refuse to believe it, and in turn treat YOU badly. And unfortunately, when you walk away for your own sanity, you're the bad guy.

I love the end... "was it you who told me once, now looking back it seems so real, that all our mistakes are merely grist for the mill? so why is it now after I've had my fill, would you steal from me the sorrow that I've earned?"

• as if he's saying..."really? after all you've put me through, YOU'RE gonna cry? YOU'RE gonna make me the bad guy?" its just brilliant!