I think the literal meaning of this is pretty clear and has already been well covered; though he could conceivably be talking to a friend, family, or ex, there's no guessing the message - I'm back, I'm sorry, and I've missed you. What gets me most about this song is that it's simultaneously sad a sorrowful and yet full of hope for the future. I've thought about it in less literal contexts - the kinds of 'bad relationship' that are less acceptable to talk about in some circles, but equally as alienating - recovery from drug use, emergence from a prolonged depressive state, and even a child turning 18 and reaching out to an alienated parent. It represents the clarity that I hope every person in these situations is able to find one day. And I hope that they are able to be greeted with open arms when it comes.
I think the literal meaning of this is pretty clear and has already been well covered; though he could conceivably be talking to a friend, family, or ex, there's no guessing the message - I'm back, I'm sorry, and I've missed you. What gets me most about this song is that it's simultaneously sad a sorrowful and yet full of hope for the future. I've thought about it in less literal contexts - the kinds of 'bad relationship' that are less acceptable to talk about in some circles, but equally as alienating - recovery from drug use, emergence from a prolonged depressive state, and even a child turning 18 and reaching out to an alienated parent. It represents the clarity that I hope every person in these situations is able to find one day. And I hope that they are able to be greeted with open arms when it comes.
[Edit: Typos]