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.
That's brilliant! I'd been thinking this way about the song recently but you've taken it even further than what I was imagining. I agree it's a 'what if?' song in metaphors, written after the end of a relationship. I disagree with some others that the song is happy - it has a happy melody and chords but the lyrics have a sad and melancholy theme. It's a song about 'if only I had been different', 'if only things had worked out better'.
That's brilliant! I'd been thinking this way about the song recently but you've taken it even further than what I was imagining. I agree it's a 'what if?' song in metaphors, written after the end of a relationship. I disagree with some others that the song is happy - it has a happy melody and chords but the lyrics have a sad and melancholy theme. It's a song about 'if only I had been different', 'if only things had worked out better'.
Tally, that is the best reply ever. I was searching for possible interpretations of this song and kept on scrolling down and hoping for a more substantive, interpretative answer... until I found yours. Everything makes sense to me now. I loved how you explained each "object" that the singer was trying to want to be, from his past, present, and what he hopes to be but can't.
Tally, that is the best reply ever. I was searching for possible interpretations of this song and kept on scrolling down and hoping for a more substantive, interpretative answer... until I found yours. Everything makes sense to me now. I loved how you explained each "object" that the singer was trying to want to be, from his past, present, and what he hopes to be but can't.
Thank you so much for your post and thoughtfulness.
Thank you so much for your post and thoughtfulness.
I agree with 99.9% of this wonderfull interpretation. The only thing i do not agreew with, is the fact that you mention that the last verse comes after a break up. In my opinion, he is talking about a non existant relationship (maybe the girl didn´t wanted him?) and he is saying : if you had given me the chance, i could have beedn all of this for you.
I agree with 99.9% of this wonderfull interpretation. The only thing i do not agreew with, is the fact that you mention that the last verse comes after a break up. In my opinion, he is talking about a non existant relationship (maybe the girl didn´t wanted him?) and he is saying : if you had given me the chance, i could have beedn all of this for you.
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.
Tally...that is deep and beautiful and very very observant. The song speaks the same to me :)
Tally...that is deep and beautiful and very very observant. The song speaks the same to me :)
That's brilliant! I'd been thinking this way about the song recently but you've taken it even further than what I was imagining. I agree it's a 'what if?' song in metaphors, written after the end of a relationship. I disagree with some others that the song is happy - it has a happy melody and chords but the lyrics have a sad and melancholy theme. It's a song about 'if only I had been different', 'if only things had worked out better'.
That's brilliant! I'd been thinking this way about the song recently but you've taken it even further than what I was imagining. I agree it's a 'what if?' song in metaphors, written after the end of a relationship. I disagree with some others that the song is happy - it has a happy melody and chords but the lyrics have a sad and melancholy theme. It's a song about 'if only I had been different', 'if only things had worked out better'.
Tally, that is the best reply ever. I was searching for possible interpretations of this song and kept on scrolling down and hoping for a more substantive, interpretative answer... until I found yours. Everything makes sense to me now. I loved how you explained each "object" that the singer was trying to want to be, from his past, present, and what he hopes to be but can't.
Tally, that is the best reply ever. I was searching for possible interpretations of this song and kept on scrolling down and hoping for a more substantive, interpretative answer... until I found yours. Everything makes sense to me now. I loved how you explained each "object" that the singer was trying to want to be, from his past, present, and what he hopes to be but can't.
Thank you so much for your post and thoughtfulness.
Thank you so much for your post and thoughtfulness.
tally, you are spiritually tall. absolutely remarkable review of the song
tally, you are spiritually tall. absolutely remarkable review of the song
excellent interpretation !!
excellent interpretation !!
I agree with 99.9% of this wonderfull interpretation. The only thing i do not agreew with, is the fact that you mention that the last verse comes after a break up. In my opinion, he is talking about a non existant relationship (maybe the girl didn´t wanted him?) and he is saying : if you had given me the chance, i could have beedn all of this for you.
I agree with 99.9% of this wonderfull interpretation. The only thing i do not agreew with, is the fact that you mention that the last verse comes after a break up. In my opinion, he is talking about a non existant relationship (maybe the girl didn´t wanted him?) and he is saying : if you had given me the chance, i could have beedn all of this for you.