Meaning of "Weather With You" by Crowded House

The lyrics of "Weather With You" explore the concept of personal emotional weather and its inescapable presence in our lives. The song begins with the protagonist walking around a room, singing "Stormy Weather" and acknowledging that despite being in the same physical space, everything feels different. This could be seen as a metaphor for the internal changes that occur within a person, often without any external indicators.

The line "You can fight the sleep but not the dream" suggests that we can resist our emotions or try to suppress them, but they will still manifest in some form. This could imply that it is healthier to face and embrace our emotional realities rather than resisting or denying them. This idea is supported by the reference to Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire, symbolizing powerful forces that were unable to conquer the "blue sky" or control the natural elements. In other words, even the most dominant and influential figures in history could not control the uncontrollable forces of nature, including emotions.

The lyrics also introduce the symbol of a small boat made of china, going nowhere on a mantlepiece. This image could represent a feeling of stagnancy or being trapped, unable to progress or find direction. The question posed, "Do I lie like a lounge room lizard or do I sing like a bird released?" reflects the internal conflict faced by the protagonist. Should they continue to hide their true self and live a life of deceit and complacency, like a lizard in a lounge room, or should they strive for freedom and authenticity, like a bird finally released?

The chorus repeats the phrase "Everywhere you go, you always take the weather with you," reinforcing the idea that our emotional state is carried with us no matter where we go or what external circumstances we encounter. This could suggest that it is futile to blame external factors for our emotional state or to seek happiness solely in external sources. Instead, the song invites the listener to embrace their authentic emotions and find inner peace and contentment.