To me, it sounds like Green is trying to describe abusive/destructive relationships, specifically one where a man beats a woman.
She "cries alone at the diner" to attract guys; Violent and abusive men are drawn to women they percieve as weak and insecure, since they are easier to manipulate and control. And indeed; "I walked back to the cottage with no hand around my wrist". She remains in this relationship. Either willingly, or due to not finding the strength to leave.
"I know I'm not the reason. I'm just the one he found."; She's aware that while his violence is directed at her, she's just an outlet. The origin of his anger lies elsewhere, as usually is the case with domestic abuse. "He wanted me to kill him" furner hints at this, as his anger seems to be pointed towards himself. "Vodka bottles breaking" is another example of the man's self-destructive mindset (alcoholism).
And yet, what finally 'kills' him (I think this is more metaphorically - it breaks his spirit) is the realization that he's lost control of her. Abusers and sociopaths are obscessed with having control, and when "he could no longer make me cry" then "the boss inside of him died."
The song seems to end with her finally leaving, and yet it doesn't. Throughout the song are hints that this is not her first abusive relationship. It's a sad truth that women who are abused by their partner, often are in the next relationship as well. Perhaps not willingly or knowingly, but they seem to be drawn to a certain type of partner. "Crying alone at the diner" is descrive as a deliberate action. "Somewhere there's a prince and he likes to strike me down..." "All these other cowards..." To me it seems like a vicious and repeating cycle.
It's a powerful and sad song. Kudos to Adam Green for putting words to such a difficult subject.
To me, it sounds like Green is trying to describe abusive/destructive relationships, specifically one where a man beats a woman.
She "cries alone at the diner" to attract guys; Violent and abusive men are drawn to women they percieve as weak and insecure, since they are easier to manipulate and control. And indeed; "I walked back to the cottage with no hand around my wrist". She remains in this relationship. Either willingly, or due to not finding the strength to leave.
"I know I'm not the reason. I'm just the one he found."; She's aware that while his violence is directed at her, she's just an outlet. The origin of his anger lies elsewhere, as usually is the case with domestic abuse. "He wanted me to kill him" furner hints at this, as his anger seems to be pointed towards himself. "Vodka bottles breaking" is another example of the man's self-destructive mindset (alcoholism).
And yet, what finally 'kills' him (I think this is more metaphorically - it breaks his spirit) is the realization that he's lost control of her. Abusers and sociopaths are obscessed with having control, and when "he could no longer make me cry" then "the boss inside of him died."
The song seems to end with her finally leaving, and yet it doesn't. Throughout the song are hints that this is not her first abusive relationship. It's a sad truth that women who are abused by their partner, often are in the next relationship as well. Perhaps not willingly or knowingly, but they seem to be drawn to a certain type of partner. "Crying alone at the diner" is descrive as a deliberate action. "Somewhere there's a prince and he likes to strike me down..." "All these other cowards..." To me it seems like a vicious and repeating cycle.
It's a powerful and sad song. Kudos to Adam Green for putting words to such a difficult subject.