Meaning of "Waxwings" by Greg Graffin

"Waxwings" explores themes of change, loss, and nostalgia. The mention of the sun on the maples and the blazes out west symbolize the passage of time and the inevitable changes that come with it. The longing for the return of the waxwings and the sense of community that once was, alongside the references to friends and neighbors who don't come around anymore, speaks to a deep sense of loss and longing for the past. The imagery of a lonely burnt out shanty and Channel Islands casting a haunting spell create a melancholic atmosphere, emphasizing the themes of solitude and longing. The repeated refrain of "They don't come around here anymore" reinforces the idea of things lost to time. Overall, "Waxwings" captures the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and the ache of missing what can never return.