Autumn Sweater

I think the song describes an awkward meeting near the beginning of an intimate relationship. As the narrator recounts the events in the song, he primarily recalls the insecurity he felt. Throughout the song, references are make to nakedness or exposure that stand in sharp contrast to the you of the song, who is described only as wearing a sweater. Ira converys the bittersweet lyrics in a vocal style that sounds soft and plaintive, almost humiliated. The music also supports the theme of nakedness; each instrument stands apart from the others. The instruments seem concentric rather than coordinated -- that is, their distinct repetitious rhythms give the impression of something working together almost by accident rather than intent. At the point of narration, I get the feeling that the narrator has conquered some of the basic insecurities that he struggled with in the beginning of the relationship, but he still struggles with similar insecurities. These insecurities prevent him from moving into a completely conjoined and selfless relationship with his significant other. But I don't get the feeling that the relationship will break up. In fact, the relationship seems to be both strong and tender. I get the feeling that the struggle between self and selfless or I and we will continue as long as the relationship is alive, eventually gaining the consistent and essential qualities of a heartbeat.

it isnt about the end of a relationship. i think its about a relationship that has already ended, and they are meeting face to face again.

he wants her, but thinks he cant have her. he wants to run away with her, and not have to worry or think about anyone but her. ("i tried my best to hide in a crowded room").

but then he realizes that its over, and he came to terms with it, he doesnt want to waste his time with her, because in the end, it wouldnt work out. just at that point of realization, she wants to be with him, but he doesnt want her anymore. she cries, and he tries to explain to her his reasoning.

i probably over-explained it, because its a simplistic, pure song. its amazing, really. its self explanitory.

I've always taken this song to mean that the narrator is tired of life and situations that cause anxiety and he would much rather be with the person he cares for, as in "slip away" from the world and be in a comfort zone. I agree with the autumn sweater represents comfort and security, and the fact he has nothing to say could mean that he's comfortable in the quiet or he has nothing to complain about.

That was a really well-written explanation green3, and I hardly want to tread on it. Nonetheless ... I have always thought that it was about seeing someone who you used to be intimately involved with, but who you haven't seen in significant amount of time. What triggered this was my own experiences of meeting up with an ex-girlfriend in the past. I had equally contradictory desires of simply wanting to see her, but fearful of not really knowing what to say or how to act. Leading up to the moment when we met, I sat anxiously wondering if it would be better if we didn't see eachother again. It didn't seem to be enough to simply discuss whatever we had in common before, so I felt like there was not much I needed to express to her. The lyrics that make it seem as though it is not about the beginning of a relationship is: "it's a waste of time if I can't smile easily like in the beginning." This makes it apparent that there is a history between the two people, that the natural giddiness and the directionless ease of a new relationship is no longer possible. Something has happened to heighten the insecurity the narrator lives with. But I do think you have it nailed about the narrator's lack of security ... the autumn sweater is used as the juxtaposition to the narrator's insecurity. An autumn sweater is all about security - it's so warm and cozy and I think people who wear them are comfortable in their own skin.

I heard this song in high school, and always interpreted it in the most depressing way possible - decaying relationship, everything's going wrong, etc. Now I'm not so sure. The ending still sounds downbeat, but the first verse - maybe "is it too late to call this off" refers to some party that they both don't want to be at; they'd rather get away and have time to themselves, together. It might be a little scene from a happy relationship, rather than some pivotal moment from a dying one.

This song is about a couple that has been together for a few years and they are throwing a dinner party, which more than likely was not the narrators idea and the narrator is just wishing the two of them could run away, for a whimsical night on the town, or even on the couch, like when they first got together and they only ever needed each other.

The narrator loves his partner very much and is willing to make sacrifices for her, but I get the feeling it's getting tougher and tougher for him to 'smile easily'.

What a beautiful song --- especially the Kevin Shields mix :)

What I love about lyrics are you can interpret them your own way in your own mind.

I'd like to think the narrator/guy wants to call off the fact that they are breaking up.

Lets just run away from it all. Simple & what I'd like to think.

He wants to be with her in the way they were at the beginning. Comfortable in the Fall. The most beautiful season of all.

yay for green3's explanation

tubesocks, your definition was equally as great. i liked how you pointed out the "its a waste of time if i can't smile easily like in the beginning", because i relate to that part the most.

personally, i imagined this song to be something like what would happen if i saw an old friend of mine (someone who i was never officially with, but we were more than friends). i'm still not quite sure what happened to us, but we started fading away.. and then, i see him at school again after a summer apart, and it was something like this song. i really relate to it, especially since i want to rekindle a friendship, at least. that's what i get out of it, anyway. brings back memories..

FAVORITE PART: [depends on mood]

wow, everyone's said some pretty interesting things. I felt like i should comment since this is my favorite yo la tengo song.

i imagined this song relating to couple who has been together a while but recentliy things have been changing in their relationship. they're each secretly thinking about ending it, except neither person has worked up the courage to do so. So wouldn't it be better if they both slipped away? The rest of the lyrics, for me, just related to this scenario, and to be all metaphorical, the "autumn" is the near-end of the relationship.

after reading tubesocks' comment and then re-reading the lyrics though, i think that's more on the right track. i've never been in a situation like before, so obviously i didn't have that experience to draw on, but it definitely seems like that's what someone would feel when meeting with an ex.

the drum beat in the beginning is what really makes the song for me. i knew from that moment that i would love this song.