Lyric discussion by dumpling 

So, many people seem to be confused about this song, especially the "10 o'clock" part. He is watching the 10 o'clock news, which is airing a story about a plainclothes policeman who was shot on the steps of the capitol, and they flash a picture of his lover, who has been interrogated and beaten badly.

@dumpling Exactly. This also places the story in modern times, not the 20's or 30's as others have said.

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