When They Come (Let Them Come)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that was fundamentally flawed from the start, despite an initial perceived similarity. The repeated phrase "two of a kind / But dead wrong" hammers home this central paradox: a shared nature that led to mutual destruction or failure. This isn't just a minor disagreement; it's a deep-seated incompatibility that the narrator acknowledges with stark finality. The narrator seems to adopt a posture of passive resignation, particularly in the chorus. The repeated "when 'they' come for me / Let 'em come" suggests a weariness or an acceptance of whatever external forces or consequences are approaching. This isn't defiance, but a quiet surrender, perhaps born from the exhaustion of the failed relationship or a broader sense of impending doom. A striking image emerges from the lines about putting "the towel down" and "head down" to avoid bleeding and to hasten an end. This suggests a strategy of self-effacement or suppression of one's own needs and pain to prevent further damage, both to oneself and to the other person. It’s a desperate attempt to minimize harm, allowing the other person to depart once their purpose is served. The lyrics are effective because they capture a specific, bleak emotional state: the quiet despair after a relationship's inevitable collapse. The repetition of "dead wrong" and the stoic "Let 'em come" create a mood of resigned finality. The narrator isn't fighting back; they're simply waiting for the end, having already acknowledged the fundamental error of their union.