I think it's pretty clear that this song is about two people who are having an affair. While I can see how it could easily be interpreted as something different, I think the message is quite clear. The first verse pretty much gives away the notion that this is about two people who shouldn't or aren't allowed to be together.
Aside from the sexual innuendos he sings:
"and we ignored our others' happy plans
for that delicate look upon your face"
In the first line he's referencing how they're both ignoring their spouses with their "happy plans" probably meaning the times they sneak off to be alone.
And again:
"in a place where no one knows what we have done"
This line just further confirms that what's going on is private, between the two involved and no one knows what they're doing or what is going on.
I can imagine the entire second verse probably being what was running through Damien's head constantly when he wrote this. He's basically comparing himself to the person the girl is really with. He's basically saying can he make you feel how I do?
"is he bold enough to take you on?
do you feel like you belong?
does he drive you wild?
or just mildly free?
what about me?"
The part where he asks her "does he drive you wild? or just mildly free?" to me suggests that the girl he's having this affair with has some problems within her own relationship. That she's either not happy or the relationship has lost it's spark. Which would explain the desire to have an affair in the first place.
"you held me like a lover
sweaty hands
and my foot in the appropriate place
we used cushions to cover happy glands
and the mild issue of our disgrace
our minds pressed and guarded
while our flesh disregarded
the lack of space for the light-hearted
in the boom that beats our drum"
I'm not 100% on this part. For some reason with this part I always get the feeling that they're (Damien and the girl) sometimes being "naughty" in front of other people, maybe even the people they're actually with.
"we used cushions to cover happy glands
and the mild issue of our disgrace
our minds pressed and guarded
while our flesh disregarded
the lack of space for the light-hearted
in the boom that beats our drum"
I just feel like it's very literal. "we used cushions to cover happy glands" meaning maybe they are in the same room with other people and are on the couch hiding under a blanket while they touch one another so no one will see. But it's not just hiding his boner, it's hiding "the mild issue of our disgrace".
"and i know i make you cry
i know sometimes you wanna die
but do you really feel alive without me?
if so be free
if not leave him for me
before one of us has
accidental babies
for we are ..."
It sounds like he probably drives her mad, for whatever reason. He's Damien Rice and all his songs suggest he's probably a wee bit complicated in the relationship department. But does he make her feel alive the way Damien does? Is he does, then go he's saying. Be free.
I think it's pretty clear that this song is about two people who are having an affair. While I can see how it could easily be interpreted as something different, I think the message is quite clear. The first verse pretty much gives away the notion that this is about two people who shouldn't or aren't allowed to be together.
Aside from the sexual innuendos he sings:
"and we ignored our others' happy plans for that delicate look upon your face"
In the first line he's referencing how they're both ignoring their spouses with their "happy plans" probably meaning the times they sneak off to be alone.
And again:
"in a place where no one knows what we have done"
This line just further confirms that what's going on is private, between the two involved and no one knows what they're doing or what is going on.
I can imagine the entire second verse probably being what was running through Damien's head constantly when he wrote this. He's basically comparing himself to the person the girl is really with. He's basically saying can he make you feel how I do?
"is he bold enough to take you on? do you feel like you belong? does he drive you wild? or just mildly free? what about me?"
The part where he asks her "does he drive you wild? or just mildly free?" to me suggests that the girl he's having this affair with has some problems within her own relationship. That she's either not happy or the relationship has lost it's spark. Which would explain the desire to have an affair in the first place.
"you held me like a lover sweaty hands and my foot in the appropriate place we used cushions to cover happy glands and the mild issue of our disgrace our minds pressed and guarded while our flesh disregarded the lack of space for the light-hearted in the boom that beats our drum"
I'm not 100% on this part. For some reason with this part I always get the feeling that they're (Damien and the girl) sometimes being "naughty" in front of other people, maybe even the people they're actually with.
"we used cushions to cover happy glands and the mild issue of our disgrace our minds pressed and guarded while our flesh disregarded the lack of space for the light-hearted in the boom that beats our drum"
I just feel like it's very literal. "we used cushions to cover happy glands" meaning maybe they are in the same room with other people and are on the couch hiding under a blanket while they touch one another so no one will see. But it's not just hiding his boner, it's hiding "the mild issue of our disgrace".
"and i know i make you cry i know sometimes you wanna die but do you really feel alive without me? if so be free if not leave him for me before one of us has accidental babies for we are ..."
It sounds like he probably drives her mad, for whatever reason. He's Damien Rice and all his songs suggest he's probably a wee bit complicated in the relationship department. But does he make her feel alive the way Damien does? Is he does, then go he's saying. Be free.
"if not leave him for me"
Before someone has accidental babies!