Gift Horse
Gift Horse Wisdom: Navigating Wants vs. Needs in Kevin Morby's Reflection
Lyrics
What you really want
Contemplating true desires and priorities
Versus what you need
Contrasting wants with actual necessities
You kicked a gift horse
Missed an opportunity or advantage
In the knee
Metaphorically harmed a valuable situation
Iggy's in the back he's getting stoned
Reference to Iggy, possibly facing challenges
I tried the door, nobody's home
Attempted connection but found no one
Time played a trick on everyone
Time has played tricks on everyone's lives
Me, oh my
Expressing surprise or dismay
Why'd you go at it alone?
Questioning the decision to face challenges alone
You always had to act so tough
Observation of a tendency to project toughness
Enough
Indicating that projecting toughness is unnecessary
And still those shaking hands
Physical manifestation of anxiety or uncertainty
What you really need
Focusing on actual necessities over desires
Versus what you want
Reiterating the importance of needs over wants
You're the gift horse
Assigning roles in a metaphorical situation
I'm the dilettante
Identifying oneself as an amateur or dabbler
Katie's in the car she's on the phone
Reference to Katie, possibly dealing with communication
Talking to her sister, she don't wanna miss her
Describing a conversation with reluctance
Time ran away with everyone
Time passing swiftly for everyone
It's a crime
Commenting on the challenges of youth
To be so young and dumb
Expressing surprise at youthful recklessness
No one made ya act so tough
Denying external influence on toughness
And rough
(Repeating the denial of external influence)
But still those shaking hands
(Repeating the physical manifestation)
Time cast a spell on everyone
Time affecting everyone with its influence
And why did you always act so tough
Questioning the need to project toughness
Iggy's in the car he's getting stoned
Reference to Iggy facing challenges again
Katie's in the back she's on the phone
Reference to Katie, possibly in a reversed role
Me, oh my oh
Expressing surprise or dismay again
Why'd you go at it alone
Reflecting on the decision to face challenges alone
And take one for the band
Taking responsibility for a collective action
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