Song Meaning
Scout Niblett's "Fishes And Honey" isn't just a love song; it's a declaration of devotional intent, bordering on something far more complex than simple affection. The lyrics, spare and repetitive, function as a mantra of commitment, a litany of services the speaker is determined to provide. It's the sound of someone building a fortress of care around another person, whether that person asked for it or not. Niblett's stark, almost minimalist musical style only amplifies the intensity of the promise. This isn't a tentative offering; it's a full-throated vow. The obsessive repetition of phrases like "I have in mind" and "It's good for me to do" hints at a deeper, perhaps even selfish motivation. Is this really about the object of affection, or is it about the speaker's need to *be* the devoted one?
The imagery in "Fishes And Honey" further complicates the dynamic. The desire to be a "nest" suggests a yearning for a maternal, protective role. Then comes the somewhat jarring notion of running away together, of stealing a boat and subsisting on "fishes and honey." This fantasy speaks to a desire for escape, but also perhaps a childish vision of idyllic simplicity. This imagined life, removed from societal expectations, is fueled by the speaker's self-defined "goodness" derived from serving the other.
Ultimately, the song meaning of "Fishes And Honey" resides in the tension between selfless love and self-serving devotion. The line "I don't care what you say" is the crux of the matter. It's an unsettling admission that the speaker's actions are, to some extent, independent of the other person's desires. Niblett doesn't present a picture of reciprocal love, but rather an almost unilateral offering, leaving the listener to question the true nature and potential consequences of such an unbalanced emotional landscape. Is it a genuine act of love, or a performance driven by internal needs?