One Of These Things First

I think it's important to look at the connotations of the things that he could have been... while I agree with all the interpretations here, they are very surface-level. I don't think he's referring to a literal alternative life (or carnation) but more contemplating metaphorically the fact that life is a series of choices that lead us to be who we are. With this specific person he could have been very different, things could have gone differently. But he wasn’t, and they didn’t. Even though he could try put things back together now… it’s too late. He should have been these things first, before the relationship ended.

In the first verse he looks at what kind of person he could have been in general. “First” here refers to before he met the person in verse 2.

He could have been an explorer (a sailer), a provider (a cook), a lover, someone who spent their time gaining knowledge about the world (a book). He could have been simply something to show others the direction they should go in (a sign post), he could have been simply something to show others the stage of their life they were at (a clock). He could have been simple and unremarkable (a kettle), he could have been strong and reliable (a rock). He could still be any of those things but doesn’t know how to change.

In the second verse he looks at what kind of a person he could have been during a specific relationship. Here “first” refers to before the relationship ended.

He could have been the person’s support (a pillar), an escape route from something else, or entrance into something different (door), could have been the unchanging constant that reflected what the other person was and belonged to the other person completely without taking anything from the relationship himself (your statue), could have just remained a friend (as difficult to be as all these other things). Then their relationship would have lasted a lifetime. He could have been, he should have been… before the relationship ended.

In the final verse deals with the end of the relationship. The “first” here refers to before he had the experiences he had. Before he had had certain experiences, he would have had the choice to do either of these things (which are complete opposites). However after the experiences, the choice is no longer his. He could have been the one pointing out the problems, annoying and controlling (a whistle), he could have been the opposite, singing all the praises of the other person, trying to please them (a flute). He could have just kept giving and giving (a real live giver) or he could have ended it by just kicking the other person out of his life (a boot). He repeats that he could have been a signpost and a clock but this time meaning specifically to the other person – he could have been their warning sign, could have told them where they were heading, could have told them who they were. He could have made them aware of the days that passed, the commitments in life, time running out, kept them busy in between other things. Could have just been simple and unremarkable to the person, could have been a strong and reliable thing in that person’s life.

Even now, divided by time and/or physical distance, he can still be those things to the person. But he should have been those things before they broke up… now it’s too late. The choices he made defined him and there is no way that he could be something other than what he is, there is no way the relationship could have gone any way other than how it did.

Thank you, dante23 for finally getting over Garden State and recognizing the song's true meaning. The song, to me, screams Buddhism and reincarnation; the title gives it away. I'm so glad someone else recognized the song from the album where it came from rather than a from a cliché indie-type movie soundtrack. Nick did have 'lovers' but also had great difficulty establishing relationships. You're right; the vivacity found in the second verse probably came from someone who made him very happy.

"A whole long lifetime, could've beent he end"--such a beautiful lyric that describes a typical man's fear of commitment to one person. A whole long lifetime is frightening because that mean's you have to invest yourself into one person over a long period of time.

And while that's admirable and should be the standard in love, the downside is that when you lose that person or that person loses you, the years of invested time to that commitment pretty much destroys the being of the other after they've lost that person.

Now that may not be true, but the fear of how that would feel like is what a lot of men feel when they ponder a lifetime commitment with someone.

Being with one person until the end is probably the manliest thing a man could do. Not many men have that virtue. I think Nick Drake (or the voice he created in the lyric) is really questioning his worth if he cannot be with someone until the end given that it can be inferred that he (the voice in the lyric) is no longer with that person.

this song is awesome. the music itself is so light and whimsical, it reminds me of ice skating in a park.

I'm surprised that not more people have commented on this song. It's such a great, peaceful song. It's simple and so happy. I agree with what you say rachelll

Oooooh, the imfamous pentapost.... It's kind of weird that no one posted on this song until they saw Garden State. Oh well, I'm also to blame, great movie, great song.

I think this song is just nick contemplating about all the things that he could have been. I know thats a really obvious answer, but its true. The 2nd verse on the other hand is about a girl that didnt want him i think. He says he could have been her lover which implies that maybe she didnt want him to be. Nick Drake is a great talent and is a perfect example of how great musicians die so young. All great musicians are tortured in some way and sometimes, unfortunately, that tortue is too much to handle for some. This is a fantastic song none the less

Please shut up about the garden state soundtrack.

For the most part, it was mediocre at best.

For the most part, you're an idiot

you're right, rachael yamagata is great. and however grudgingly i say it, garden state's soundtrack is good.