Congratulations

As the lead singer explained, himself, in an interview in a rock magazine I read, though I can't recall the name of it for the life of me, this song is a recollection, in segments, of the occurrences that transpired between a friend of Justin Furstenfield and his closest female friend.

According to Justin, the man i question (Justin's best friend) knew a particular female since they were very small children, and she was the closest friend that he had. (I came to see the light in my best friend) He was, in fact, completely overtaken with love for her, but he was terrified to inform her of it for fear it would ruin their friendship.

He kept it in to himself for so long that she married someone else. (My chance to be open was broken and now you're Mrs. Him.) He did, however, bring himself to break the news to her, ON her wedding day. He did not want to break the news to her in the place of her wedding, as he did not want to cause a scene or potentially cause her to cry in front of everyone she knew, so he asked her to take a walk to talk to her in private. (Congratulations. Would you like to take a walk with me?)

When he opened up his heart to her, she let him know that she had loved him since she was old enough to know what it really meant, and that she was positive he loved her too.

She, however, hated him for never telling her the feelings he had for her, and always felt like by not telling her, he was abandoning her. (My heart can't take this cover up...you left me.) Of course, the wedding continued (Or already happened; he did not say for certain if it transpires before or after the matrimony, though the lyrics of the song lead me to speculate it is post-wedding.) ("I can't change this, I can never take it back" "Now you're Mrs. Him" "Congratulations")

The wedding of the love of his life to another man, however, was enough to emotionally crush Justin's nameless best friend (I'll try to say I'm happy for you), and after confessing his lifelong love to this woman in an apparently futile attempt to get her back, he committed suicide shortly after. (Make it go away...please)

The loss of his best friend and the reasoning behind it is the meaning behind this song, according to the lead vocalist. It is also a plea to anyone in a similar situation to take the risk that Justin's friend did not, as it is an example of the tremendous consequences.

Also, the "My mind, it kind of goes fast. I'll try to slow it down for you," is, and this is speculation from me, not from a source as reliable as the vocalist himself, but when you've held in feelings for someone as long as he did, you will have thousands of things running through your mind that you've always wanted to say, or that you've replayed in your mind hundreds of times. But he was saying that he will slow it down and basically just tell her the fundamentals of what he was trying to say -- that he loved her.

In my opinion, this is one of the most beautifully written and performed songs I have ever heard in my entire life, which has been situated for the vast majority in music.

I hope this helps anyone reading.

This song is the beginning of Justin's rebirth. The entire album (Foiled) is set out as a story of losing the one you love (this girl has been in Justin's songs for a while, can you say HRSA?), not being able to cope, learning how to deal with it, getting past it, getting better, and finally finding love again (maybe really for the first time). I would bet this is a scene that really happened at (we'll call her Ex) Ex's wedding. Justin mentions how he "showed up... so what if I'm the used-to-be" in the song Overweight. Ex is getting married (And now you're Mrs. him), and Justin figures showing up is a good idea. Maybe it was, because it serves some cathartic purpose. The song changes from slow and reflective during the verses, to upbeat and realistic in the chorus. For the entire song, the spirit is trying to rise, but can't quite make it as memories and regrets bubble to the surface. But at the end, after he's had his say, the song positively soars and he realizes he can't change what's happened, take any of it back, or change her mind. He comes to terms with the situation and is beginning to heal. There is a reason this song is after "Let It Go" and before "Overweight". (There are no accidents as far as song order goes on this album, and the sequence is not based on what would sound good next, either.) Justin is telling a story that really happened.

This song is amazing.... This is my interpretations:

Is that seat taken Congratulations Would you like to take a walk with me - He has shown up at his ex's wedding and he wants to make her feel comfortable with his presence there.

My mind it kind of goes fast I try to slow it down for you - He has so much he wants to say, but he doesn't want to scare her away.

I think i'd love to take a drive - By taking a drive, he wouldn't have to look her in the face when he tells her what he needs to say.

I want to give you something I've been wanting to give to you for years My heart - He has been holding on to this love for her for so long and now he wants her to take it from him.

I came to see the light in my best friend You seemed as happy as you'd ever been - He still feels that she is so close to him, but it hurts that she is so happy without him

My chance of being open was broken And now you're Mrs. him - He didn't want her to be as happy as she is, it would have been a lot easier to tell her how he feels if he felt that she still had some feelings left for him

My words they don't come out right But I'll try to say i'm happy for you - He wants her to know that he is happy for her, but no matter how he says it, it still feels like he is not telling her the truth.

I think I'm going to take that drive - Now he just wants to get away.

I want to give you something I have wanted to give to you for years My heart - He wants her to know how much he loves her, but it would be easier if she would except it.

My heart, my pain won't cover up You left me.. hu hu hu hu My heart My heart won't take this cover up You left me.. hu hu hu hu - No matter what he does his heart will still be breaking.

And I can't change this I can never take it back But now I can't change your mind - He knows now that everything is out in the open and there is no way for him ever to take it back, but he is hoping that by telling her all of this he has changed her mind.

I can never take this back But now I can't change your mind can't change your mind - He realizes she will never be his

Go away Make it go away Please. - He just wants all of these feelings to go away, in part he still wants her to take his heart so he doesn't have to feel this pain anymore.

Jeez, has everyone been here. No comments, on such a good song. I don't know the backround of this song but, I take that he left her, and now regrets it, she's moved on and seems pretty hung up that he left her. It's a great song, I love that Imogen Heap is a part of this song, it sounds great to me.

ohh my godd..i cannot believe there are only TWO comments on this song...this song is truely amazing. soo well put together.in my opinion..one of the best on the album!!

I am in love with this song.. it is beyond amazing. To me it's about him being in love with his best friend, and coming to her wedding. It's beautiful and also sad... and I love the Imogen Heap part too!

Beautiful song!!! I have to agree with MozFanMS2. Everytime I hear this song I picture a man being in love with his best female friend. This song also reminds me of a tale of unrequited love.

This song is definitely about a man finding out his best friend - whom he's been secretly in love with - is getting married to another man. Heartbreaking, yet so beautiful.

MozfanMS2 has it pretty much pegged.

its an amazing song. imogen heap's voice harmonizes so beautifully. you wouldnt think "hu hu hu hu" would sound really good, but it does. blue october continues to impress me.

his voice is just...so touching. the part where he goes "and i can't change this -i can never take it back but now i can't change your mind...(you left me hu hu hu hu) and i can't take this- i can never take this back but now i can't change your mind..can't change you mind......(you left me...hu hu hu hu).... is the most amazing stretch of both vocals and lyrics i have heard in a LONGGG time. and i agree with what everyone has posted here. you can actually hear the pain in his voice. this is truly their best song.