My interpretation is that it's not about a relationship, at least not a romantic relationship.
I think this is about the band's relationship within itself, and then with their fans who have abandoned them or wrote them off over the years. "Old Hymns" is a reference to their early-work, because fans are always holding "Casually Dressed..." up as their career highlight, particularly as benchmark that their others albums don't quite live up to. It is also when the band were at their most popular.
"You're thinking, thinking what the fuck happened to me."
as in, what happened to Funeral for a Friend; their sound did change a bit over the years, and people (including myself) still go on about the 'old' FFAF.
What really convinced me, though, is the closing sentiments of:
"I used to mean something to you,
But now I'm tired and alone.
I used to mean something to you,
Locked out and left here in the cold."
saying that, in their early days, FFAF used to mean something to a lot of people - they were very popular in their heyday - however, they are now less popular and those fans have abandoned them, or, metaphorically speaking, left them out in the cold. The "tired and alone" line really hits hard everytime I hear it, because I think this isn't just a reference to the fans, but also the band members. I associate that line with the earlier references to drinking instead of dealing with problems - problems which may have eventually led to the departure of two members.
It's definitely Matt's most emotional vocal performance on the album, and I think when you look at it from this perspective you can understand why. The two last verses are the best Matt has sounded in years, in my opinion.
My interpretation is that it's not about a relationship, at least not a romantic relationship.
I think this is about the band's relationship within itself, and then with their fans who have abandoned them or wrote them off over the years. "Old Hymns" is a reference to their early-work, because fans are always holding "Casually Dressed..." up as their career highlight, particularly as benchmark that their others albums don't quite live up to. It is also when the band were at their most popular.
"You're thinking, thinking what the fuck happened to me."
as in, what happened to Funeral for a Friend; their sound did change a bit over the years, and people (including myself) still go on about the 'old' FFAF.
What really convinced me, though, is the closing sentiments of:
"I used to mean something to you, But now I'm tired and alone. I used to mean something to you, Locked out and left here in the cold."
saying that, in their early days, FFAF used to mean something to a lot of people - they were very popular in their heyday - however, they are now less popular and those fans have abandoned them, or, metaphorically speaking, left them out in the cold. The "tired and alone" line really hits hard everytime I hear it, because I think this isn't just a reference to the fans, but also the band members. I associate that line with the earlier references to drinking instead of dealing with problems - problems which may have eventually led to the departure of two members.
It's definitely Matt's most emotional vocal performance on the album, and I think when you look at it from this perspective you can understand why. The two last verses are the best Matt has sounded in years, in my opinion.
I like this interpretation. Good shout.
I like this interpretation. Good shout.