| Death Cab for Cutie – What Sarah Said Lyrics | 12 years ago |
|
As a 21 year old male I can safely say that I don't usually cry, but when I do it is because of this song. I haven't read through all of the comments so my interpretation might not be anything new. It is also partially influenced by the music video, which is incredible. I read that Sarah was the wife of one of Ben's friends and one night the couple was taking a walk when Sarah burst into tears after coming to the realization that "love is watching someone die" The song is very clearly about sitting in the ICU as a loved one is passing. I think due to the line "I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all" it is safe to assume that the context of the song is a spouse or significant other (unless you have "lain beside" all of your loved ones...). I also think though that part of the beauty of the song is its ability to apply to everyone's individual experiences waiting in a hospital for any friend or loved one. The line "love is watching someone die" hit me like a truck the first time I heard it, and it is something that will stick with me forever. It may be one of the most amazing lines ever written down on paper. I think it means that when you love someone you are signing up to watch them die, and you are doing it every day as we are all technically dieing. Even though parting with them will be a very painful experience, you are accepting it for the happiness of being with them now. I think that the second most powerful line in the song is the line immediately after. "so who's going to watch you die?" The character in the song is in the ICU just sitting and remembering that when he fell in love with this person, he knew that someday they would die. He is waiting for the bad news that the love of his life is gone. But now he is alone, so who is going to watch him die? Or will he die empty and alone? This interpretation is influenced by the video where a guy is basically sitting on a bed and smoking cigarettes alone in the aftermath of his loved one's passing. At this part of the song he just starts shaking violently with his head in his hands. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.