I think this has something to do with arrested development and not being able to let go of certain fantasies and move on. I guess it’s the sort of song I felt compelled to write as I get older.
I really like Brendan’s string arrangement on this one. I think it’s pretty essential and pulled the song together.
lyrics
You are not fucking around anymore
You just don’t have the energy
And you say get up off your bended knee,
Grow up
The rain is falling and it chases us like a rapist
Into the basement of your parents’ house
Where I will sit down quiet as a mouse
And watch you eat yourself alive
But I meant you no harm at the start
Still working on your short story
Like Simon’s human trampoline
You’re wearing all of New York City’s complaints
Still naked underneath our clothes
Still smoking out of fire escape windows
I know it is too much to ask you to ever change
On a towel, staring at the ocean
I was late, you were right on time
It wasn’t fair, but it never really could have been
A fair fight
Lover’s prayer, please just let me stay here
What on earth is wrong me?
I need a girl, don’t send me a woman
Answer me
And at night when the walls disintegrate
I changed my mind, never mind, think I’ll stay
How could I know?
Lover’s prayer, simple to remember
I was wrong, you were right
Are we free or merely just pretending to be alive
Let’s go home, I’ve seen all I want
Chemicals on the balcony
We took enough to make anybody turn blue
It’s time to leave
And when you walked in on me naked and dumb,
I was too bored to imagine much love
How could I know?
credits
from New Fragility (Deluxe Edition),
released February 12, 2021
Alec Ounsworth: vocals, guitar, keys, bass
Jonas Oesterle: drums
Todd Erk: synths
Brendan Cooney: string arrangement, conductor
Veronica Jurkiewicz: viola
Gabriel Miller: violin
Carlos Santiago: violin
Carolina Diazgranados: cello
