Meaning of "Washington Square" by Counting Crows

The lyrics of "Washington Square" by Counting Crows convey a sense of longing for a place of familiarity and belonging. The narrator begins by letting go of possessions, such as their piano, symbolizing a detachment from their old life. They walk through the shadows of Washington Square, perhaps representing a metaphorical journey through their memories and past experiences.

As they wander from Dublin to Berkeley, they encounter the songbirds of Ballyporeen, which could represent moments of happiness and love. However, love ultimately leaves them with nothing but memories. The line "I loved like a fountain and it left me with nothing" suggests that their love was abundant but fleeting, leaving them with emptiness and longing.

The narrator then describes living in the shadows, where light is electric and time is measured by a number on a wall. This can be seen as a metaphor for feeling disconnected and detached from the world around them. They feel distanced from their friends and family, who are portrayed as being far away, both physically and emotionally, from the narrator's current city.

The repetition of the phrase "Washington Square" throughout the song emphasizes the longing and desire for a return to a place that once felt like home. It represents a yearning for familiarity, connection, and a sense of belonging that is currently absent from the narrator's life.

The final lines express the hope of finding comfort in Washington Square once again. The narrator asks for the warm night to be covered in a blanket of starlight, creating a sense of enchantment and hope. They express their desire to travel homeward, back to the place where they feel they truly belong.

Overall, "Washington Square" reflects the universal human longing for a place that feels like home and the desire to reconnect with the past and find a sense of belonging.