I believe, "A golden bird that flies away" is really an ironic thing, birds made of gold can't fly, such as the one in the jack and the giant beanstalk. Although this is ironic, I think it symbolizes the girl who seems pretty and perfect but once you get close she flies or runs away (refers to that later in the song, "if you want me why can't you get closer.") As for the "candle's fickle flame,"; I believe Cake was inspired to use this by Elton John's song, candle in the wind, in which he compared the way Marilyn Monroe's life went with a candle's flame also. You can look up all of the things a candle's flame could symbolize but the possibilities are endless so I would just go with the one that you enjoy the most.
I believe, "A golden bird that flies away" is really an ironic thing, birds made of gold can't fly, such as the one in the jack and the giant beanstalk. Although this is ironic, I think it symbolizes the girl who seems pretty and perfect but once you get close she flies or runs away (refers to that later in the song, "if you want me why can't you get closer.") As for the "candle's fickle flame,"; I believe Cake was inspired to use this by Elton John's song, candle in the wind, in which he compared the way Marilyn Monroe's life went with a candle's flame also. You can look up all of the things a candle's flame could symbolize but the possibilities are endless so I would just go with the one that you enjoy the most.