@Robert128 You're right, but I feel there is so much more to this song (maybe you agree and couldn’t be bothered writing it all out, fair enough).
It's about how we treat and think about other people. It’s asking how much do we really care about our neighbours (as in people other than ourselves)? The concept of looking for a house is used as a driver/example of how we are more often interested in looking after ourselves than caring about other people’s stories, love and suffering. I think the storyteller (Courtney, I guess) is saying that she realises that the home and the stories that are left behind are of more significance than whether it has polished floorboards, north-facing rooms etc. And now that she sees the significance of what was there, she couldn't live there/doesn’t want to live there as it isn’t her ‘home’.
This ties into the ‘half-a-million/knocking it down’ idea, that so many of these stories just get destroyed and forgotten about (as Robert128 said).
But the song is also about suburbia, growing up and how you’re meant to live your life. Many of us grow up with our family, go to school, get a job, get married, buy a house etc… Courtney is questioning the whole idea, does it bring happiness? Why is it the right way to live life? By following the same path are you just destined to die in a Californian bungalow and be forgotten about?
As with the whole album, there is also something undeniably Australian about this song. Not just the references but the whole concept. Being Australian and knowing the culture we live within unlocks another layer to this song and the album (not having a go at people who aren’t Australian, just an observation).
This is a very timely song that will resonate with a lot of people.
@Robert128 You're right, but I feel there is so much more to this song (maybe you agree and couldn’t be bothered writing it all out, fair enough).
It's about how we treat and think about other people. It’s asking how much do we really care about our neighbours (as in people other than ourselves)? The concept of looking for a house is used as a driver/example of how we are more often interested in looking after ourselves than caring about other people’s stories, love and suffering. I think the storyteller (Courtney, I guess) is saying that she realises that the home and the stories that are left behind are of more significance than whether it has polished floorboards, north-facing rooms etc. And now that she sees the significance of what was there, she couldn't live there/doesn’t want to live there as it isn’t her ‘home’.
This ties into the ‘half-a-million/knocking it down’ idea, that so many of these stories just get destroyed and forgotten about (as Robert128 said).
But the song is also about suburbia, growing up and how you’re meant to live your life. Many of us grow up with our family, go to school, get a job, get married, buy a house etc… Courtney is questioning the whole idea, does it bring happiness? Why is it the right way to live life? By following the same path are you just destined to die in a Californian bungalow and be forgotten about?
As with the whole album, there is also something undeniably Australian about this song. Not just the references but the whole concept. Being Australian and knowing the culture we live within unlocks another layer to this song and the album (not having a go at people who aren’t Australian, just an observation).
This is a very timely song that will resonate with a lot of people.