The lyrics talk about the narrator's habit of keeping his fingernails long so they make a clicking sound when he plays the piano. He used to chew them off when he was nervous over someone, but now he intends to keep them long until the swallows return from different locations.

Meaning of "Fingernails" by Joe Ely

The song "Fingernails" by Joe Ely can be seen as a metaphor for dealing with loss and longing. The act of keeping his fingernails long to hear that clicking sound while playing the piano symbolizes holding onto something familiar and comforting despite changes and distances. The lyrics suggest a sense of nostalgia and a desire to maintain a connection to the past, represented by the swallows returning from different locations like Texarkana, Louisiana, and Alabama. The act of keeping his fingernails long becomes a ritual of remembrance and a way to cope with missing someone, as demonstrated by the narrator's past nervous habits. It reflects a longing for the return of what was lost or changed, seeking solace in familiarity and routine.