Meaning of "Left Handed Kisses" by Andrew Bird

The lyrics of "Left Handed Kisses" delve into the complexities of love and relationships. The song begins with the narrator expressing their skepticism towards the idea that everything happens for a reason, considering it treason for romantics like themselves. They reject the notion of star-crossed lovers and show a deeper, more critical perspective. A question hovers near the skeptic's heart, pondering how they ever found their partner.

Both Andrew Bird and Fiona Apple take turns in the following verses. They use the metaphor of left-handed kisses as a symbolic representation of gestures or expressions of love that fall short of true affection. These left-handed kisses become a prelude to backhanded love songs, which signify insincere or passive-aggressive expressions of love. Fiona Apple expresses frustration, implying that if Andrew Bird truly loved her, he would be more vulnerable and take greater risks in expressing his love. The repetition of the refrain "How did I ever find you, drifting gently through the gyre of the great Sargasso Sea, Atlantic Ocean" further emphasizes the mystifying nature of their relationship and the uncertainty that lingers.

The song concludes with the notion of a "handsome little bookend" and tying up loose ends. The narrator questions whether their skepticism has transformed into belief due to their partner's actions. The final lines of the song, "If you hesitate, you'll hear the click of the receiver," imply that a lack of commitment or hesitation will lead to the end of the relationship.

Overall, "Left Handed Kisses" explores the doubts and vulnerabilities that can arise in relationships. It challenges the assumptions of love and confronts the discrepancies between the gestures of love and true affection.