I’ve always assumed this song was about the death of someone’s daughter (seemingly self-explanatory) due to neglect, someone close to Jesse. Maybe it was a woman who had been too busy fooling around with Jesse to be watching her daughter? Probably far-fetched but:
“Tobacco and peppermint, dusting for fingerprints”:
Meaning detectives are investigating a death/murder. Peppermint is usually used to mask the smell of a dead body. Tobacco? I’m not so sure. Maybe they use it in the ways I do to deal with stress, or to help think about ideas.
This also seems to foreshadow his use of a similar line later on in the song “sucking on your breath mint”. Possibly alluding to a pathologist/mortician sucking on a breath mint while examining a dead body. (Pathologists/morticians claim they use breath mints and vapor rub to mask the smell of a dead body). Followed by:
“A film in her eyes from the glow”. Similar to blind people, dead people often have a milky look to their eyes, any melatonin in the retina is lost. This can be exacerbated by a light, a “glow”. He’s switching perspectives when he say “sucking on your breath mint” (talking to the pathologist)…”dissected and stuck with pins” talking about the little girl on the mortician’s table. Once again, “ a film in her eyes from the glow”. Referring to the harsh lighting used to examine a dead body.
Now back to the beginning:
“Some rules are made with all intention to break and she defends it with a warped rationale”
Maybe she chose not to keep an eye on her daughter while fooling around with Jesse. Not keeping a close eye on your child is a “no-no” , but she takes the risk anyway for her own personal pleasure.
“I’ve seen what happens to the wicked and proud when they decide to take on the throne for the crown”
Possibly a metaphor for taking on a positive label, positive role, without considering the consequences of neglecting the responsibilities that come with such a role. Maybe she had a child to give herself purpose, but she somewhat neglected the role that she should play as a mother and protector. She may have wanted a child to feel/be perceived as meaningful, but didn’t understand the responsibilities she would be dealt by having one. Maybe she wasn’t matured enough to have a child.
“Concrete and water, she's looking for her daughter…at midnight in torrential downpour.” Possibly literal and self-explanatory, suggesting that the little girl has died (maybe in a pool?). She has lost her daughter because she was busy doing whatever she deemed more important at the moment.
“Everything I said about how messed your head is, was cut up and left in bits and pieces on the ground.” Jesse has claimed this woman is fucked up or doesn’t have her priorities straight. It has now been proven by the death of her daughter. “Cut up and left in pieces on the ground” may refer to the deterioration of the daughter’s body? (Maybe I’m too dark)
“And we learn as we age.
We've learned nothing and my body still aches.”
Although the two have aged and should know better than to neglect a child, their bodies still ache (through both literal ‘growing pains’ and the metaphorical self-inflicted pain of newfound responsibilities)..such as having a child.
The rest of the lyrics, I believe may be metaphorical on the nature of aging and “maturing”. Some of us don’t mature with age, some are just as reckless as before. Just a crazy interpretation.
“And you take cause they give.
Though I love you and my body it leaks like a sieve.
And we learn as we age.
We've learned nothing and my body still aches.
And you take cause they give.
Though I love you and my body it leaks like a sieve.
Take the picture from the wall when you think that nothing matters.
Take the picture from the frame and it's a long ways to the floor.
Cut your finger on the edge cause it's sharper than they told you.
Take a leap from out the window cause it's way too far to go through the door.
And we learn as we age.
Wait for nothing and my body still aches.
And you take cause they give.
Though I love you and my body it leaks like a sieve.
I’ve always assumed this song was about the death of someone’s daughter (seemingly self-explanatory) due to neglect, someone close to Jesse. Maybe it was a woman who had been too busy fooling around with Jesse to be watching her daughter? Probably far-fetched but: “Tobacco and peppermint, dusting for fingerprints”: Meaning detectives are investigating a death/murder. Peppermint is usually used to mask the smell of a dead body. Tobacco? I’m not so sure. Maybe they use it in the ways I do to deal with stress, or to help think about ideas. This also seems to foreshadow his use of a similar line later on in the song “sucking on your breath mint”. Possibly alluding to a pathologist/mortician sucking on a breath mint while examining a dead body. (Pathologists/morticians claim they use breath mints and vapor rub to mask the smell of a dead body). Followed by: “A film in her eyes from the glow”. Similar to blind people, dead people often have a milky look to their eyes, any melatonin in the retina is lost. This can be exacerbated by a light, a “glow”. He’s switching perspectives when he say “sucking on your breath mint” (talking to the pathologist)…”dissected and stuck with pins” talking about the little girl on the mortician’s table. Once again, “ a film in her eyes from the glow”. Referring to the harsh lighting used to examine a dead body. Now back to the beginning: “Some rules are made with all intention to break and she defends it with a warped rationale” Maybe she chose not to keep an eye on her daughter while fooling around with Jesse. Not keeping a close eye on your child is a “no-no” , but she takes the risk anyway for her own personal pleasure. “I’ve seen what happens to the wicked and proud when they decide to take on the throne for the crown” Possibly a metaphor for taking on a positive label, positive role, without considering the consequences of neglecting the responsibilities that come with such a role. Maybe she had a child to give herself purpose, but she somewhat neglected the role that she should play as a mother and protector. She may have wanted a child to feel/be perceived as meaningful, but didn’t understand the responsibilities she would be dealt by having one. Maybe she wasn’t matured enough to have a child. “Concrete and water, she's looking for her daughter…at midnight in torrential downpour.” Possibly literal and self-explanatory, suggesting that the little girl has died (maybe in a pool?). She has lost her daughter because she was busy doing whatever she deemed more important at the moment. “Everything I said about how messed your head is, was cut up and left in bits and pieces on the ground.” Jesse has claimed this woman is fucked up or doesn’t have her priorities straight. It has now been proven by the death of her daughter. “Cut up and left in pieces on the ground” may refer to the deterioration of the daughter’s body? (Maybe I’m too dark) “And we learn as we age. We've learned nothing and my body still aches.” Although the two have aged and should know better than to neglect a child, their bodies still ache (through both literal ‘growing pains’ and the metaphorical self-inflicted pain of newfound responsibilities)..such as having a child. The rest of the lyrics, I believe may be metaphorical on the nature of aging and “maturing”. Some of us don’t mature with age, some are just as reckless as before. Just a crazy interpretation. “And you take cause they give. Though I love you and my body it leaks like a sieve. And we learn as we age. We've learned nothing and my body still aches. And you take cause they give. Though I love you and my body it leaks like a sieve. Take the picture from the wall when you think that nothing matters. Take the picture from the frame and it's a long ways to the floor. Cut your finger on the edge cause it's sharper than they told you. Take a leap from out the window cause it's way too far to go through the door. And we learn as we age. Wait for nothing and my body still aches. And you take cause they give. Though I love you and my body it leaks like a sieve.