the 2nd comment for this song shouldve been the last. I see some 'escapist' and 'suicide' interpretations here and I don't really like the negativity in them. I guess having to say that makes me seem like a douche, but I had to say it
my interpretation might be a little long but whatever. also, when I refer to 'Moe', I know she didn't write the lyrics, but its more suitable than referring to 'Lou', really
anyway, to me the song sounds really really melancholy for sure, but at the same time, the sweetness of Moe's voice gives this heartbreaking yet adorable hopefulness. the situation in the lyrics seems like she's found someone (who may or may not be present at the party she's at) she can't have for whatever reason, and is just daydreaming, singing these words in her head. like she's mocking her own childish longing by using such romantic yet straight-forward language, all the while acknowledging how futile her hopes and fantasies are. this aspect of the song is one way I can sort of agree with the presence of any 'suicide' here; Moe is at the end of a prolonged bout of unrequited love and as she sings these words, she laughs at the realization that this can never be. hence the weary, jaded and playful sound of it all
the whole "if you close the door" deal feels like she's fantasizing about having the guy all to herself and that he obliges to join her and make the "night" "last forever". I don't take "night" to refer to an 'emotional' night (depression) exclusively, but rather "the night could last forever" is Moe wishing to be with the object of her desire forever, enveloped in the comfort and intimacy that night time often implies
the whole 'shutting out' the sun and the day is symbolic of how nothing else would matter if she could only be with this one guy, and it's apt symbolism since she's obviously feeling very gloomy, and in such a state you are basically nocturnal; depression/loneliness can really mess with your sleep cycle, leading depressives to champion night time, when they can be alone and 'at peace'
when she talks about "the people are dancing and having such fun", she's observing her immediate surroundings, which are more or less the catalyst of all her longing. anyone who's been there knows that it sucks being in happy, jubilant crowds when there's someone on your mind and you don't have them with you, wishing badly you did and drifting off in thoughts of how great it would be if they were there
the song basically says "I wish I could be alone with you instead of here," in a way, and at the same time "I wish I could share all of this with you."
when she says "dark party bars, etc.", it makes me think of a girl in the couple days before new year's, walking big city streets feeling lonely as all hell, observing all the other people and the things they do with the people they love, feeling that she has none herself. that's not really an image in the lyrics themselves, but a background to all the longing she's experiencing in the midst of this big new year's celebration or whatever. the mentioning of parties and shiny Cadillac cars etc. also serves as a contrast to the feelings of isolation at hand, representing a bustling social world that she may never be part of, and also suggesting a big factor in said isolation
the "toast to never" just seems like Lou adding terms that fit in with the themes of partying and loneliness/depression. I take the song's title itself to be more symbolic than literal. I mean the party in question could definitely take place at an after hours bar, but to me it just seems like the concept of 'after hours' is another symbol, adding to the whole night-time loneliness feel. kind of how the painting "Nighthawks" isn't just a superficial renderring of people out at night, but speaks volumes about the kind of lives the subjects lead. nahmean?
After Hours is such a bYOOtiful way to end the album, seriously
the 2nd comment for this song shouldve been the last. I see some 'escapist' and 'suicide' interpretations here and I don't really like the negativity in them. I guess having to say that makes me seem like a douche, but I had to say it
my interpretation might be a little long but whatever. also, when I refer to 'Moe', I know she didn't write the lyrics, but its more suitable than referring to 'Lou', really
anyway, to me the song sounds really really melancholy for sure, but at the same time, the sweetness of Moe's voice gives this heartbreaking yet adorable hopefulness. the situation in the lyrics seems like she's found someone (who may or may not be present at the party she's at) she can't have for whatever reason, and is just daydreaming, singing these words in her head. like she's mocking her own childish longing by using such romantic yet straight-forward language, all the while acknowledging how futile her hopes and fantasies are. this aspect of the song is one way I can sort of agree with the presence of any 'suicide' here; Moe is at the end of a prolonged bout of unrequited love and as she sings these words, she laughs at the realization that this can never be. hence the weary, jaded and playful sound of it all
the whole "if you close the door" deal feels like she's fantasizing about having the guy all to herself and that he obliges to join her and make the "night" "last forever". I don't take "night" to refer to an 'emotional' night (depression) exclusively, but rather "the night could last forever" is Moe wishing to be with the object of her desire forever, enveloped in the comfort and intimacy that night time often implies
the whole 'shutting out' the sun and the day is symbolic of how nothing else would matter if she could only be with this one guy, and it's apt symbolism since she's obviously feeling very gloomy, and in such a state you are basically nocturnal; depression/loneliness can really mess with your sleep cycle, leading depressives to champion night time, when they can be alone and 'at peace'
when she talks about "the people are dancing and having such fun", she's observing her immediate surroundings, which are more or less the catalyst of all her longing. anyone who's been there knows that it sucks being in happy, jubilant crowds when there's someone on your mind and you don't have them with you, wishing badly you did and drifting off in thoughts of how great it would be if they were there
the song basically says "I wish I could be alone with you instead of here," in a way, and at the same time "I wish I could share all of this with you."
when she says "dark party bars, etc.", it makes me think of a girl in the couple days before new year's, walking big city streets feeling lonely as all hell, observing all the other people and the things they do with the people they love, feeling that she has none herself. that's not really an image in the lyrics themselves, but a background to all the longing she's experiencing in the midst of this big new year's celebration or whatever. the mentioning of parties and shiny Cadillac cars etc. also serves as a contrast to the feelings of isolation at hand, representing a bustling social world that she may never be part of, and also suggesting a big factor in said isolation
the "toast to never" just seems like Lou adding terms that fit in with the themes of partying and loneliness/depression. I take the song's title itself to be more symbolic than literal. I mean the party in question could definitely take place at an after hours bar, but to me it just seems like the concept of 'after hours' is another symbol, adding to the whole night-time loneliness feel. kind of how the painting "Nighthawks" isn't just a superficial renderring of people out at night, but speaks volumes about the kind of lives the subjects lead. nahmean?
After Hours is such a bYOOtiful way to end the album, seriously