People over-analyzed this, while others took it too literally.
First, the "505" thing to me has always been a hotel room number, backing evidence being the rest of the song, referencing a drive or a flight to get there, imagining someone there waiting for him on the bed, and having to say goodbye after everything is over. I saw some people saying 505 could be symbolism for SOS. Not saying it's not possible but it doesn't really make sense due to the fact that the song itself isn't really a cry for help, at least in my opinion. It does not seem at all like Alex is not enjoying what the song depicts, and even though it may take some sacrifice, he keeps going back.
The line "if it's a 7 hour flight or a 45-minute drive" to me is pretty simple. Wherever he is and wherever the other person is, it doesn't matter. If he's in Japan and she's in London, or if he's in Germany and she's in Argentina. It doesn't matter, they're still going back to 505 to see each other.
"In my imagination you're waiting lying on your side, with your hands between your thighs"
I think this line is sufficient to say that the relationship is pretty sexual. Obviously the rest of the song also depicts the feelings they may have for each other apart from the great sex, but this line is homage to what he imagines she'll be doing waiting for him to get there, which is masturbating thinking about him (hence the "hands between your thighs"). And in the last repeat of the chorus where he adds "and a smile!" at the end of the line... That's how I've always pictured that line in my head. Obviously I could be wrong, he could just be saying that she's waiting for him with her hands between her thighs completely clothed. But honestly, I don't think so.
"I'd probably still adore you with your hands around my neck,or I did last time I checked"
Seems to be referencing a rough patch. She may have cheated on him, though the relationship doesn't exactly seem like the most conventional. She may have left him hanging at one point. Regardless, he still loves her no matter what she does to him. Still going back to 505.
"A knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark"
He's a little self-conscious. This girl may be a bit out of his league and since the relationship, as mentioned before, is not that conventional (they don't seem to make it clear what they are, boyfriend/girlfriend, fuck buddies, friends with benefits, etc) he's scared that he may not be good enough for her or that at some point she may get bored of him, that he'll "fall short of the mark." A knife twists at this thought.
"Frightened by the bite though it's no harsher than the bark"
He's scared she may leave him yes, but he knew she was out of his league from the very beginning; the girl is very attractive and she doesn't usually go for guys like him.
"But I crumble completely when you cry, it seems like once again you've had to greet me with goodbye"
Having to leave 505 is one of the hardest parts, and probably the thing that's tearing them apart the most. "Greet me with goodbye" seems to reference that it feels like they spend a very short amount of time together, too short. Almost like they say hello and goodbye in the same breath.
"I'm always just about to go an spoil a surprise, take my hands off of your eyes too soon"
He probably said "I love you" first and she didn't say it back.
This line could reference to many things and each time I listen to the song I come up with something different for this line, but for the most part it has to do with him revealing something to her that she doesn't really want to see.
People over-analyzed this, while others took it too literally. First, the "505" thing to me has always been a hotel room number, backing evidence being the rest of the song, referencing a drive or a flight to get there, imagining someone there waiting for him on the bed, and having to say goodbye after everything is over. I saw some people saying 505 could be symbolism for SOS. Not saying it's not possible but it doesn't really make sense due to the fact that the song itself isn't really a cry for help, at least in my opinion. It does not seem at all like Alex is not enjoying what the song depicts, and even though it may take some sacrifice, he keeps going back.
The line "if it's a 7 hour flight or a 45-minute drive" to me is pretty simple. Wherever he is and wherever the other person is, it doesn't matter. If he's in Japan and she's in London, or if he's in Germany and she's in Argentina. It doesn't matter, they're still going back to 505 to see each other.
"In my imagination you're waiting lying on your side, with your hands between your thighs" I think this line is sufficient to say that the relationship is pretty sexual. Obviously the rest of the song also depicts the feelings they may have for each other apart from the great sex, but this line is homage to what he imagines she'll be doing waiting for him to get there, which is masturbating thinking about him (hence the "hands between your thighs"). And in the last repeat of the chorus where he adds "and a smile!" at the end of the line... That's how I've always pictured that line in my head. Obviously I could be wrong, he could just be saying that she's waiting for him with her hands between her thighs completely clothed. But honestly, I don't think so.
"I'd probably still adore you with your hands around my neck,or I did last time I checked" Seems to be referencing a rough patch. She may have cheated on him, though the relationship doesn't exactly seem like the most conventional. She may have left him hanging at one point. Regardless, he still loves her no matter what she does to him. Still going back to 505.
"A knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark" He's a little self-conscious. This girl may be a bit out of his league and since the relationship, as mentioned before, is not that conventional (they don't seem to make it clear what they are, boyfriend/girlfriend, fuck buddies, friends with benefits, etc) he's scared that he may not be good enough for her or that at some point she may get bored of him, that he'll "fall short of the mark." A knife twists at this thought.
"Frightened by the bite though it's no harsher than the bark" He's scared she may leave him yes, but he knew she was out of his league from the very beginning; the girl is very attractive and she doesn't usually go for guys like him.
"But I crumble completely when you cry, it seems like once again you've had to greet me with goodbye" Having to leave 505 is one of the hardest parts, and probably the thing that's tearing them apart the most. "Greet me with goodbye" seems to reference that it feels like they spend a very short amount of time together, too short. Almost like they say hello and goodbye in the same breath.
"I'm always just about to go an spoil a surprise, take my hands off of your eyes too soon" He probably said "I love you" first and she didn't say it back. This line could reference to many things and each time I listen to the song I come up with something different for this line, but for the most part it has to do with him revealing something to her that she doesn't really want to see.
@Priscila 505 is an area code. The rest is kind of correct. The song is about a long distance relationship.
@Priscila 505 is an area code. The rest is kind of correct. The song is about a long distance relationship.