Meaning of "Smoke" by Brian Fallon

The lyrics of "Smoke" by Brian Fallon convey feelings of loss, regret, and longing for a past relationship. The narrator recalls a time when they were in Toronto and had a wild lifestyle, spending nights at home recklessly. They acknowledge that their actions led to "breakin'" both their own and their partner's heart, seeking revenge. They feel disconnected and lost in their own skin, as if they don't recognize themselves anymore.

The mention of taking a picture of someone implies that the narrator used to be close and intimate with their partner, but they have become distant and detached. The heartbreaking lines "Well, they brought hearts and daggers, they wrote songs about you, when they tied you up in the rungs of ladders" suggest that others have capitalized on the pain caused in the relationship, using it for their own creative expression. The partner never returned home and is described as becoming "something like some smoke that I tried too hard to hold." This reflects the difficulty of holding onto something intangible and elusive, like smoke, which represents the memories and feelings associated with the past relationship. The narrator's attempts to keep those memories alive have been in vain.

The lyrics also touch on transformation and the aftermath of the failed relationship. The narrator awakens to find everything has changed, having left their home and returned as a different person. They feel beaten and remorseful, with regret weighing heavily on them. There is a sense that the damage done to the relationship cannot be undone, and the narrator is left with the painful consequences.

The reference to black clouds and newspaper clippings with horrible headlines signifies a sense of darkness and despair, mirroring the emotional turmoil the narrator is experiencing. The mention of their names highlights the personal impact of the breakup and the reality that their love is gone, despite its previous value being compared to gold.

Overall, "Smoke" delves into the aftermath of a failed relationship, expressing the narrator's feelings of loss, regret, and the difficulty of letting go. It explores themes of identity, transformation, and the intangibility of memories and emotions.