Barton

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a weary acceptance, "Same as ever, it begins," hinting at a recurring, perhaps unwelcome, pattern. The narrator "heard a knock and let it in," suggesting a resigned choice to face something unpleasant. This experience is framed as "just the medicine / To swallow," implying a bitter necessity rather than a desired outcome. A deep emotional tension emerges as the narrator anticipates being "on my own awhile," yet projects a deceptive front, "Smiling like a crocodile." This forced cheerfulness masks an underlying isolation. The consequence of this "medicine" is pervasive; something "follows" relentlessly, its presence visible "for miles and miles," suggesting an inescapable emotional burden. The core paradox of these lyrics lies in the repeated declaration, "Broken as it is, this is a love." This stark juxtaposition of "broken" with "love" immediately signals a profound disillusionment, emphasizing a relationship or feeling that is fundamentally fractured yet still identified as love. Further, the line "Heavy is as heavy does" twists a common idiom, linking the crushing weight of an experience to its inherent emptiness, ultimately revealing "It's hollow." The effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their unflinching portrayal of a love that is both present and profoundly damaged. The imagery of a "crocodile" smile and something that "follows" relentlessly creates a haunting sense of a persistent, perhaps predatory, emotional state. By repeatedly labeling this fractured experience as "love" while simultaneously describing its "hollow" nature, the lyrics powerfully convey the pain of holding onto something that offers no true substance.