When I read the lyrics to this song, which I think are beautifully crafted, I see several different meanings. Firstly, as many other users have commented, there is the "stalkerish" side to the song. The man who is obsessed with a stranger, just longing to get her attention. This could be backed up by the music video which mainly shows the camera as if it is the guy, watching the female character in lots of places. However, I do not see this as being the main meaning of the song. For instance, the lines of the middle 8:
"you reject my advances and desperate pleas
I won't let you let me down so easily
So easily"
I think that this moment would have been an optimum one to show a conflict in the music video, due to the change of melody and chord progression; this is the climax of the song. But the video shows the band playing for this section, not the girl implying that it is not all about the girl. Perhaps this subtext was intentional to misdirect the listerer/viewer? Just a thought.
I think a more likely purpose was that of a guy who's friends with a girl but he wants more. This has already been noted many times before too. I think that the song, if written with that subject, wouldn't have been written to sing to the girl, but more of a release from the pent up frustration of the guy. But if this was the case, I'd personally have done the music video as a live gig sort of scenario, focussing on the girl in the audience, and having flashbacks to scenes of them, as if to give the audience the power that she can't have as she is blind to his feelings. It could also show flashforwards to the future to show the potential of what could be. These are just my ideas anyway.
Finally, another meaning that I hav found in the song is not related to a girl and a guy at all. If you take the song as a direct address to you the listener, being spoken by the singer. Perhaps he is talking to all of the listeners who do not currently like/listen to Death Cab. But he's saying, "you got to spend some time, love (endearment term to draw the listener in), you got to spend some time with me" saying that you must spend some time listening to the music and then "it will possess your heart" (will have won you over, as music seems to be the main thing in a lot of young peoples hearts.)
The second verse (bear with me as this is a little abstract) could be written about the singer walking by a record shop (outside your window could mean anywhere outside of the listener/intended listeners home) and seeing his reflection(not an actual reflection but the cover of the cd as a reflection of his work) in the shop window. And he wants somebody to but it so that they can take it (him) home and they can spend time together (be lovers at last).
The middle 8 is ironic in that he sings "you reject my advances and desperate pleas" when this section of the song is both an advance from the current harmony and a plea to the listener. But overall you could say it is about not giving up, even if you have not reached everyone yet, there is still time.
The chorus is very repetitive, which I believe accents my point about trying to grab peoples attention. The simple melody and instantly memorable lyrics lay as a (literal) real hooks as they are fan-fishing with this song. This is a great song on a great band from a great album. everyone should give them a listen.
When I read the lyrics to this song, which I think are beautifully crafted, I see several different meanings. Firstly, as many other users have commented, there is the "stalkerish" side to the song. The man who is obsessed with a stranger, just longing to get her attention. This could be backed up by the music video which mainly shows the camera as if it is the guy, watching the female character in lots of places. However, I do not see this as being the main meaning of the song. For instance, the lines of the middle 8: "you reject my advances and desperate pleas I won't let you let me down so easily So easily" I think that this moment would have been an optimum one to show a conflict in the music video, due to the change of melody and chord progression; this is the climax of the song. But the video shows the band playing for this section, not the girl implying that it is not all about the girl. Perhaps this subtext was intentional to misdirect the listerer/viewer? Just a thought.
I think a more likely purpose was that of a guy who's friends with a girl but he wants more. This has already been noted many times before too. I think that the song, if written with that subject, wouldn't have been written to sing to the girl, but more of a release from the pent up frustration of the guy. But if this was the case, I'd personally have done the music video as a live gig sort of scenario, focussing on the girl in the audience, and having flashbacks to scenes of them, as if to give the audience the power that she can't have as she is blind to his feelings. It could also show flashforwards to the future to show the potential of what could be. These are just my ideas anyway.
Finally, another meaning that I hav found in the song is not related to a girl and a guy at all. If you take the song as a direct address to you the listener, being spoken by the singer. Perhaps he is talking to all of the listeners who do not currently like/listen to Death Cab. But he's saying, "you got to spend some time, love (endearment term to draw the listener in), you got to spend some time with me" saying that you must spend some time listening to the music and then "it will possess your heart" (will have won you over, as music seems to be the main thing in a lot of young peoples hearts.)
The second verse (bear with me as this is a little abstract) could be written about the singer walking by a record shop (outside your window could mean anywhere outside of the listener/intended listeners home) and seeing his reflection(not an actual reflection but the cover of the cd as a reflection of his work) in the shop window. And he wants somebody to but it so that they can take it (him) home and they can spend time together (be lovers at last).
The middle 8 is ironic in that he sings "you reject my advances and desperate pleas" when this section of the song is both an advance from the current harmony and a plea to the listener. But overall you could say it is about not giving up, even if you have not reached everyone yet, there is still time.
The chorus is very repetitive, which I believe accents my point about trying to grab peoples attention. The simple melody and instantly memorable lyrics lay as a (literal) real hooks as they are fan-fishing with this song. This is a great song on a great band from a great album. everyone should give them a listen.
please let me know what you think