Lyrics
Hey
Expression of attention or greeting
A hundreds of stories before I showed up
A reference to numerous stories existing before the narrator's arrival
If they'd tell them to me, and pull photos up
Desire to hear those stories with accompanying photos
And they're all connected like a pair of handcuffs
Metaphorical connection between stories, like handcuffs
No one seemed effected that everyone had fucked
Nonchalance about everyone having past relationships
But there was a softness, some kind of understanding (understating)
Recognition of a softness or understanding in the atmosphere
Those 2 AM decisions, always shakey landings
Reflection on uncertain decisions made around 2 AM
And no one ever knew what could be demanded (be demanded)
Uncertainty about what could be expected from others
Maybe it's the cards, the card that she was handed
Suggestion that life's circumstances are like cards dealt
You called me up from a pay phone
Recollection of a call from a pay phone
I said hang tight, I can drive you home
Offer to provide a ride home
I pulled on up and with a southern accent
Introduction of a southern accent
I offered you my dad's leather jacket, yeah
Offering the comfort of a father's leather jacket
I met her at a party, she'd come straight from work
Meeting someone at a party who came directly from work
Complained that the regulars were all a bunch of jerks
Complaint about the behavior of regulars at the party
She always looked tired, she dazzled as a drunk
Observation of tired appearance, yet shining while drunk
She even pulled off her stupid haircut
Acknowledgment of pulling off a unique haircut
She said, I don't need a sponsor or the best lover
Expressing independence, not needing a savior
Some man that sees me as some fixer-upper
Desire for a partner who sees beyond fixing flaws
The last few years meant I've been running for cover (running)
Mention of running for cover in recent years
Trying to sleep so I can visit my mother
Struggle to sleep, possibly related to visiting a mother
You called me up from a pay phone
Recurrence of a call from a pay phone
I said hang tight, I can drive you home
Reassurance of being able to provide a ride
I pulled on up and with a southern accent
Reiteration of a southern accent
I offered you my dad's leather jacket
Offering the symbolic comfort of a father's leather jacket
When times were tough in the worst years
Reflection on tough times with uncertain interventions
We never knew how to interfere
Admission of not knowing how to interfere during difficult times
And now you're back and just unpacking
Recognition of someone returning and unpacking emotional baggage
Those bruised up takers you keep attracting
Reference to attracting troubled individuals
In September when it goes off, like some goddamn alarm clock
Mention of a specific time (September) triggering emotional responses
And it hits her like a third shot, conversations, she just stares off
Description of a moment hitting someone emotionally like a third shot
There's no longer a voice calling, when she goes out, saying
Loss of a comforting voice when going out
"I'll be up waiting for you"
Expression of waiting up for someone
You called me up from a pay phone
Repetition of the scenario with a call from a pay phone
I said hang tight, I can drive you home
Reiteration of offering a ride
I pulled on up and with a southern accent
Reaffirmation of a southern accent
I offered you my dad's leather jacket
Renewal of offering the symbolic comfort of a leather jacket
When times were tough in the worst years
Recollection of challenging times with uncertain interventions
We never knew how to interfere
Restatement of not knowing how to interfere during tough years
And now you're back and just unpacking
Recognition of someone returning and unpacking emotional baggage
Those bruised up takers you keep attracting
Repetition of attracting troubled individuals
You called me up from a pay phone
Final recurrence of the scenario with a call from a pay phone
Ooh
Repetition and emphasis on receiving a call from a pay phone
You called me up from a pay phone
-Ooh
-You called me up from a pay phone
-Ooh
-You called me up from a pay phone
-And I said, who the fuck uses a payphone?
Expression of surprise or disbelief at the use of a payphone
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