These Are The Things

Song Meaning

The narrator grapples with a past relationship, haunted by perceived slights and an ongoing sense of judgment. The opening questions about a "second chance" versus a "last one" immediately establish a tense, unresolved dynamic. There's a lingering resentment, a mental tally of grievances – "at least one hundred things I've got on you" – suggesting a deep-seated hurt that prevents genuine closure. This internal conflict is amplified by the feeling of being diminished, of being made to "feel so small." The core of the song seems to revolve around a contrast between a past ideal and a present reality. The narrator recalls a time when "your time and truth was around," a period of shared experiences where "nobody cared in the world." This idyllic memory is juxtaposed with the current state, where the narrator feels "poor and determined" and like they're "still on trial." The phrase "poor but honest" is recalled, but the narrator’s current self-perception has shifted, indicating a personal evolution or a stark realization of their circumstances. The repeated refrain, "These are the things that I know," functions as a defiant assertion of memory and experience against the other person's perceived dismissiveness. The lyrics suggest a power imbalance, where the narrator feels their perspective is invalidated, especially by the other person's "friends, your books and dirty looks." The narrator's attempt to break down "this heartache" is met with the other person's apparent inability to empathize, as they "could never feel this way." This highlights a fundamental disconnect and the narrator's struggle to move past the emotional damage. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw portrayal of lingering emotional debt and the struggle for validation. The narrator isn't just recounting events; they're dissecting the emotional residue of a relationship that left them feeling judged and diminished. The repetition of "These are the things" acts as a mantra, a way to reclaim their narrative and acknowledge the weight of these unresolved "things" that continue to define their present emotional landscape.