triple word score

Song Meaning

The speaker is locked in a fierce, self-imposed battle to forget a past love. This isn't a choice born of indifference, but a stark necessity: "only because I have to." It's a poignant declaration of forced emotional erasure, a painful obligation. Despite this resolve, the lyrics reveal a deep, almost paradoxical understanding of love. The speaker asserts, "I am only more certain I know what love is," even as they commit to forgetting the very person who likely taught them this. This tension highlights the profound impact of the relationship, making the act of forgetting feel like a betrayal of self-knowledge. The memories that surface are remarkably vivid and specific, making the task of forgetting even more arduous. We get glimpses of a "graveled alley way / On a hot summer's day" – a tactile, sensory detail that anchors the past in a tangible place. The partner is remembered as "charming and clever," someone who strategically placed their "tiles on those / Triple word scores," suggesting a person of wit and impact, whose every move left a significant mark, much like a high-scoring play in a game. The depth of connection is further underscored by the almost mystical claim, "Tho I knew your face / Long before I could ever see." This suggests a bond so fundamental it predates conscious awareness, implying a fated or soul-deep recognition. To sever such a connection, the speaker admits, "it will take all of my faith and my will," emphasizing the immense, almost spiritual effort required to erase a love that feels like it was always meant to be.