Their Notions

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of two individuals, seemingly an American couple, navigating foreign cities and defiant of external judgment. The opening lines establish a shared, damp intimacy under a "blown out Belgian sky," suggesting a willingness to embrace discomfort together. This shared experience quickly pivots to a scene in "Jerusalem at dawn," where one partner's striking appearance ("pink hair") attracts unwanted attention and judgment from onlookers, but the narrator feels only pride. The core tension lies in the couple's defiant stance against societal disapproval, encapsulated by the repeated hook: "we spit on their notions." This phrase acts as a rallying cry, asserting the power and validity of their bond against external forces. The lyrics suggest their love is so potent it can "part the oceans" and "fuel their motion," hyperbolically emphasizing its strength and its ability to propel them forward despite any opposition. The writing cleverly contrasts grand, almost mythical pronouncements about their love with mundane, distinctly American details. They might be in "Jerusalem" or "Prague," but they're also "still we hit the mall / In search of a Starbucks." This juxtaposition highlights how their unique, powerful connection exists within the everyday, grounding their extraordinary claims in relatable, almost ironic, everyday actions. It’s this blend of the epic and the ordinary that makes their defiance feel both grand and intimately personal. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they capture a feeling of radical self-acceptance and mutual validation in the face of a judging world. The narrator's unwavering pride in their partner, even when that partner draws negative attention, is a powerful statement. The song celebrates a love that is not only a personal refuge but also an active, defiant force against conformity, making the listener feel the exhilarating freedom of their shared rebellion.