Every Heart Is a Hunter

Song Meaning

The lyrics open on stark urban vignettes: an "old man in a trench coat" and a "woman in a fur coat." Both ask for small things, a dime or the time. Yet, the narrator immediately senses they "are seeking more." This establishes a pervasive, unspoken human longing. This deeper yearning is then universalized. The repeated declaration, "Every heart is a hunter," frames humanity as constantly searching, driven by an innate "hunger." Despite being in a "crowded street," these hearts are "crying out in the dark," suggesting a profound isolation even amidst others. The lyrics imply a hidden vulnerability, a "wound, every need" that remains unseen. A crucial shift occurs when the narrator observes "Faces on a subway." The realization that "It's like a mirror of your heart" breaks down the barrier between observer and observed. This powerful imagery suggests that the longing seen in strangers is, in fact, a reflection of one's own internal landscape. The lyrics argue that "No one's really different / Behind the disguise," emphasizing a shared, fundamental need "to be known / For who we are." Ultimately, the lyrics introduce a profound answer to this universal search. The surprising twist is that "God's heart is a hunter, too," actively "looking for you." This reframes the human quest as a reciprocal pursuit, where the divine also seeks connection. The repeated refrain, "He fills / Our hungering for more," suggests a resolution to the restless searching, offering a sense of being found and fulfilled.