Song Meaning

The lyrics introduce a young woman utterly convinced she'll be a "perfect mother," despite external doubts. Her resolve is absolute: "In her mind there's no doubt." Yet, a poignant undercurrent suggests she lacks guidance, as "no one could show her how." This fierce determination clashes with the world's skepticism. "People say--she's too young," questioning if "a child have a child?" Her response is to envision a "perfect baby," raised by an "old prescription" of constant physical affection, believing "nothing more important." This intense focus on smothering with kisses hints at a deeper, almost desperate need for connection. The lyrics then pivot to a universal parental anxiety, acknowledging that "Babies grow, then they tend to leave us." This stark reality underscores a hidden fear: the desire for a child to "be forever needing you." The true emotional core of her pursuit of perfection is revealed in the final, gut-punching line: "all her life she missed her." This late-breaking detail reframes her entire narrative. Her relentless drive to be a "perfect mother" and her intense desire for her child's perpetual need are not just naive ideals, but a profound, compensatory response to her own unfulfilled longing. The lyrics masterfully use repetition and a gradual reveal to craft a deeply sympathetic portrait of a woman striving to give what she herself never received, making her quest for perfection both understandable and heartbreaking.