I think this is about a relationship that is breaking down before it even begins. The people are in love and trying to decide if they're going to take the next step. Carrie is trying to promise that she won't ruin the relationship by "swearing off future crimes," but the statement itself is ironic; by calling a breakup a "crime," she's giving off a bit of 'tude, as if to say it's an unfair ask.
The second verse is introspective, discussing Carrie's personal life and her difficulty with long-term relationships, having set the context that Carrie does want to try, even though she's "hardwired to be alone."
Then she switches it up. It's not clear whether the last verse is still from Carrie's perspective, but I bet if she sang this song with Corin, Corin would have taken this verse. Carrie is the restless soul, of course. But the very last two lines, "If you're going to give up this fight/Then I'm going to call you a liar," sounds like Carrie again (arguing in favor of the relationship). The line acknowledges the fact that staying in a relationship is a fight. It's interesting because it's almost a step into the future, and from the other woman's perspective. The last two lines could be saying, "Hey, you swore off future crimes, and here you're doing it, so you're a liar. And by the way, if you're going to be a restless soul, you're going to have a miserable life."
Overall, probably the best and truest snapshot of Carrie's complex and difficult love life.
My favorite Wild Flag song.
I think this is about a relationship that is breaking down before it even begins. The people are in love and trying to decide if they're going to take the next step. Carrie is trying to promise that she won't ruin the relationship by "swearing off future crimes," but the statement itself is ironic; by calling a breakup a "crime," she's giving off a bit of 'tude, as if to say it's an unfair ask.
The second verse is introspective, discussing Carrie's personal life and her difficulty with long-term relationships, having set the context that Carrie does want to try, even though she's "hardwired to be alone."
Then she switches it up. It's not clear whether the last verse is still from Carrie's perspective, but I bet if she sang this song with Corin, Corin would have taken this verse. Carrie is the restless soul, of course. But the very last two lines, "If you're going to give up this fight/Then I'm going to call you a liar," sounds like Carrie again (arguing in favor of the relationship). The line acknowledges the fact that staying in a relationship is a fight. It's interesting because it's almost a step into the future, and from the other woman's perspective. The last two lines could be saying, "Hey, you swore off future crimes, and here you're doing it, so you're a liar. And by the way, if you're going to be a restless soul, you're going to have a miserable life."
Overall, probably the best and truest snapshot of Carrie's complex and difficult love life.