Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a specific, perhaps insular, community where a particular set of behaviors is normalized. There's a sense of defiant revelry, a conscious decision to "let our freak flags fly" and engage in "drinks to abuse." This outward expression of freedom, however, is juxtaposed with a profound underlying melancholy. The repeated declaration "This is how things are done" suggests a ritualistic or ingrained way of life, but the true emotional core emerges in the description of the inhabitants. This place is populated by "two would-be lovers who never held one another." This recurring phrase is the emotional anchor, revealing a pervasive sense of unfulfilled connection and longing beneath the surface of their "freak flag" displays. The "sunlight darken[ing] my skin" and showing "where we've been" implies a history, perhaps one of shared experiences or even shared loneliness, that marks them. It’s a subtle acknowledgment of the passage of time and the indelible marks left by their choices and circumstances. The craft here hinges on the stark contrast between the boisterous declaration of how things are done and the quiet ache of unspoken affection. The repetition of "They'll treat us both like swine" amplifies this tension, suggesting an external judgment or harsh reality that these "would-be lovers" face, perhaps contributing to their insular, self-defined social norms. The lyrics don't offer easy answers but rather capture a specific emotional landscape where freedom and isolation are intertwined. The effectiveness lies in this poignant portrayal of yearning within a seemingly uninhibited, yet ultimately constrained, existence.