The narrator expresses admiration and affection for Saskia Hamilton, a poet he has never met but is infatuated with based on her name on a book spine. He praises her poetic qualities and dreams of a harmonious and idyllic life with her.

Read more
image

Meaning of "Saskia Hamilton" by Ben Folds


The lyrics of "Saskia Hamilton" by Ben Folds delve into the theme of infatuation and idealization. The narrator is captivated by Saskia solely based on her name and her credentials as a poet, constructing an image of her in his mind without any real interaction. This reflects the idea of projecting one's desires and fantasies onto another person without truly knowing them. The exaggerated praise of Saskia's poetic qualities and the comedic focus on linguistic elements like alliteration and assonance highlight the superficial nature of the narrator's feelings. The song ultimately comments on the tendency to romanticize and idolize someone from a distance, showcasing the whimsical and sometimes nonsensical nature of infatuation.