Start From Scratch

Song Meaning

The lyrics grapple with the desire for a fresh start, a clean slate after past errors. The opening question, "Can we start from scratch?", immediately sets a tone of hopeful but tentative renewal, contrasting the imagined "everything so green" with the lingering question of its sustainability. It's a plea to shed the weight of history, to find a place where mistakes don't define the present, though an undercurrent of doubt about how long this idealized state can last is palpable. The central tension lies in the cyclical nature of mistakes and returns. The chorus, "We make mistakes and we run away, But we come back every time," reveals a pattern of self-sabotage followed by a persistent, almost inevitable, return. This isn't a simple escape; it's a recognition of recurring patterns, where each attempt at a new beginning is framed as "a different starting line," acknowledging that the past, while perhaps left behind, informs the present attempt. A striking image is the "flowers cover the front the house that we built." This suggests an attempt to beautify or mask underlying issues, a superficial covering over a structure that might be unstable or flawed. The phrase "Put out all the fires from the windowsill" further implies a reactive approach, dealing with immediate crises rather than preventing them, hinting that the "house" of their relationship or situation is constantly under threat. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their honest portrayal of flawed human behavior. The narrator acknowledges the pattern of "run[ning] away" but also the persistent drive to "come back." This duality creates a relatable, if somber, picture of trying to rebuild, understanding that true change is difficult and often involves confronting the very patterns one wishes to escape, even when seeking "a different starting line."