"A common interpretation of this song is that it's told from the point of view of the wife's new boyfriend on a rainy day out, after a divorce, with "your wife" being used ironically toward the ex-husband. Artificial Heart features recurring themes of abandonment, breakups, and marriage.
It may also be about a brother or similar figure meeting up with the wife character, a widow, and talking about her late husband. This seems most likely, given the somber and regretful tone of the song, the refrain "You should have been there," and the speaker and wife agreeing that it had been "too long" since they'd spoken.
Another possible scenario is that it is simply about a man having a chance meeting with a friend's wife, having a simple conversation, and parting ways, only to find himself later having to explain the entire event, which then taints what was perfectly innocent with the unspoken implication that there was ever anything to worry about.
Yet another turns on the bridge ("stupid car stuck in the snow / getting home too late to go / I'm not saying anything"). The singer is implying that the husband is neglecting his family, and it hasn't gone unnoticed (a la "You're Gonna Lose That Girl", Beatles)." - Official JoCo Wiki
"A common interpretation of this song is that it's told from the point of view of the wife's new boyfriend on a rainy day out, after a divorce, with "your wife" being used ironically toward the ex-husband. Artificial Heart features recurring themes of abandonment, breakups, and marriage.
It may also be about a brother or similar figure meeting up with the wife character, a widow, and talking about her late husband. This seems most likely, given the somber and regretful tone of the song, the refrain "You should have been there," and the speaker and wife agreeing that it had been "too long" since they'd spoken.
Another possible scenario is that it is simply about a man having a chance meeting with a friend's wife, having a simple conversation, and parting ways, only to find himself later having to explain the entire event, which then taints what was perfectly innocent with the unspoken implication that there was ever anything to worry about.
Yet another turns on the bridge ("stupid car stuck in the snow / getting home too late to go / I'm not saying anything"). The singer is implying that the husband is neglecting his family, and it hasn't gone unnoticed (a la "You're Gonna Lose That Girl", Beatles)." - Official JoCo Wiki