Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of a couple finding comfort and shared dreams in a familiar, perhaps slightly run-down, neighborhood. The opening lines, "Last night late / Came out of the pictures," suggest a return to reality after an escape, immediately followed by the question, "Why do we come around here?" This hints at a recurring, almost habitual, return to this specific place, a place marked by nature reclaiming man-made structures with "concrete vandalised by dandelions." The shared walk home and the intimate act of "wrapped up tight we're in each others sweaters" establish a deep, comfortable connection.
The core of the song seems to revolve around the enduring nature of their affection, despite the passage of time. The repeated phrases, "It's been a little while now I love you more than ever" and "It's been a long time I still want you honey honey," emphasize a love that hasn't faded but rather deepened. This sentiment is further amplified by the aspirational imagery of "picking out the houses where we'd live" and the local lore that "the streets are paved with gold / They're paved with diamonds." The narrator appears to believe their relationship itself is the true treasure, as they later declare, "we're made of diamonds."
The recurring chorus of "Sentimental love songs / Sentimental songs" acts as an anchor, framing the entire experience. It suggests that their shared moments, from late-night laughter at impressions to hopes of lasting forever, are the very essence of these sentimental tunes. The contrast between the slightly gritty setting, with its vandalized concrete, and the glittering promise of "gold" and "diamonds" highlights how their love transforms the ordinary into something precious. The mention of needing "money ready" alongside the declaration of being "made of diamonds" introduces a subtle tension, perhaps acknowledging the practicalities of life while asserting the intrinsic value of their bond.
Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they capture the quiet magic of a committed relationship. The effectiveness lies in the grounded, specific details—dandelions on concrete, shared sweaters, inside jokes—that ground the grander declarations of love and forever. It's the way the mundane is elevated by genuine affection, making the sentimental feel earned and deeply felt, rather than just a cliché.