My take on it: the aftermath of a relationship. They've split up, but they still see each other and they still have feelings for each other, but she ended it. As so many people in this world decide, she wanted to take a break and see other people in case there may be someone better out there, but keeps him around because she has yet to find anyone who is.
He's following her around and keeping her company although it pains him to be around her. It's as if he's living in a dream every time he sees her. "Everywhere you go is swirlin', everything you say has water under it." Nothing is clear anymore and every word she says to him is in no way sturdy or solid and even though she might say she loves him, he can't fully believe it because it could just as easily change.
The fingerprints in the pink folder in the middle of his table are her "fingerprints" on his heart. He's saying "you know I love you."
As others have said, he's protective of his "tall kingdom" (her). And being around her is more than enough for him even if it causes him pain.
"You might need me more than you think you will." He believes they were made for each other and one day it'll all be apparent to her.
"Come home in the car you love, brainy brainy brainy." As I've said, she still has him and he's reliable and available to her whenever she may need him. In other words, he's the car she loves and he'll always be there to take her home. Which leads him to confirm his belief: she needs him and one day she'll see it...his "brainy" plan.
"You keep changing your fancy fancy mind every time I decide to let go." She wants him around even though she was the one to end the relationship, she doesn't want him letting go.
"I was up all night again, boning up and reading the American dictionary. You'll never believe me, what I found." He's trying to appeal to her. Even though he believes that one day she'll figure it all out on her own, but there are times when he's more sure about that than other times. He might be able to convince her that he's interesting and worth keeping.
My take on it: the aftermath of a relationship. They've split up, but they still see each other and they still have feelings for each other, but she ended it. As so many people in this world decide, she wanted to take a break and see other people in case there may be someone better out there, but keeps him around because she has yet to find anyone who is.
He's following her around and keeping her company although it pains him to be around her. It's as if he's living in a dream every time he sees her. "Everywhere you go is swirlin', everything you say has water under it." Nothing is clear anymore and every word she says to him is in no way sturdy or solid and even though she might say she loves him, he can't fully believe it because it could just as easily change.
The fingerprints in the pink folder in the middle of his table are her "fingerprints" on his heart. He's saying "you know I love you."
As others have said, he's protective of his "tall kingdom" (her). And being around her is more than enough for him even if it causes him pain.
"You might need me more than you think you will." He believes they were made for each other and one day it'll all be apparent to her.
"Come home in the car you love, brainy brainy brainy." As I've said, she still has him and he's reliable and available to her whenever she may need him. In other words, he's the car she loves and he'll always be there to take her home. Which leads him to confirm his belief: she needs him and one day she'll see it...his "brainy" plan.
"You keep changing your fancy fancy mind every time I decide to let go." She wants him around even though she was the one to end the relationship, she doesn't want him letting go.
"I was up all night again, boning up and reading the American dictionary. You'll never believe me, what I found." He's trying to appeal to her. Even though he believes that one day she'll figure it all out on her own, but there are times when he's more sure about that than other times. He might be able to convince her that he's interesting and worth keeping.
Over analyzed much? Yeah....
Here's what Matt Berninger says about the song meaning: pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/09/matt-berninger-of-the-national-explains-boxer-lyri.html