Meaning of "Honey and Smoke" by Case/Lang/Veirs

The lyrics of "Honey and Smoke" convey a sense of possessive love and a longing for authenticity. The speaker watches as others attempt to gain the attention and affection of their beloved. The imagery of honey and smoke symbolizes the sweet but ultimately empty words and gestures used by these people to woo the person the speaker loves. The speaker, however, sees through the deception and understands that the love shown by these individuals is superficial. They emphasize their own love as being genuine and true.

The lyrics also hint at the beauty and allure of the person the speaker loves. They describe them as "beautiful from within" and "exquisite to the detail." The speaker recognizes that this beauty captivates others and makes them lose their sense of social boundaries, causing them to flatter and pursue the person. However, the speaker's genuine love is not reliant on superficial beauty or flattery. It implies a deeper understanding and connection with the person.

Overall, the lyrics of "Honey and Smoke" explore themes of genuine love, deceit, and the depth of connection. It highlights the speaker's awareness of others' manipulative intentions and their own unwavering love for the person, which is not based on surface-level attraction but on a deeper understanding and connection.