Meaning of "Leave Yourself Alone" by Black
The lyrics of "Leave Yourself Alone" paint a picture of a one-sided relationship where the narrator feels like they are constantly trying to reach out to someone who is not reciprocating their feelings or efforts. The repeated refrain of "Hold on now John" could symbolize a plea for the other person to pause and reconsider their actions, to not shut themselves off emotionally. The mention of cabbages and kings in dreams could be a metaphor for the surreal and often bewildering nature of relationships, where things may not always be as they appear. The references to sweeping up the ashes of rock and roll, along with the idea of years taking their toll, hint at a sense of nostalgia and perhaps looking back on past experiences that have shaped the current state of affairs. Overall, the song captures feelings of loneliness, rejection, and resignation in the face of unreciprocated emotion.