Backwards Women

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone caught in a cycle of self-destructive behavior and relationships. The opening lines immediately establish a sense of restlessness and unease, with the narrator feeling "down" and unable to "stay in one place." This physical instability mirrors an emotional one, as they admit to "drinkin' Smiles away" and trying to escape their troubles. The core tension emerges in the repeated chorus: "I, I don't wanna love you but I'll try," revealing a conscious struggle against an unwanted attraction or habit. The narrator seems drawn to a specific type of person or experience, described as "backwards women" found "underneath the neon sun" in "pool halls." This imagery suggests a preference for the unconventional, perhaps even the dangerous or fleeting. The phrase "neon sun" itself is a striking oxymoron, hinting at artificiality and a distorted sense of reality. The narrator's own actions echo this theme of self-sabotage, confessing to being "wasted on the run" and "chasin' troubled ones." The bridge offers a moment of stark self-awareness, where "every street sign says, 'stop, turn around.'" Yet, the narrator acknowledges an inability to heed this advice, stating, "I can't help myself, even though it runs me down." This highlights the internal conflict between knowing what's detrimental and being compelled to repeat it. The final verse reinforces this feeling of being trapped by the past and future simultaneously, with a "weight that drags you down." The repeated plea in the chorus underscores the ongoing battle to break free from this pattern, even while acknowledging the effort to "stay away" is a constant, perhaps losing, fight.