Meaning of "Trampoline" by Joe Henry

"Trampoline" by Joe Henry delves into the complexities of human relationships and self-perception. The recurring imagery of a trampoline symbolizes the feeling of being caught in a loop, unable to escape the same patterns and emotions. The lyrics touch on the pain of being loved and then abandoned, the struggle to separate oneself from the image others have created, and the difficulty of letting go of past influences. The references to dreams that are full of lust but ultimately transient suggest a yearning for something deeper and more meaningful. The idea that the ghost of a past lover keeps the singer's own ghost from leaving speaks to the lingering impact of past relationships on one's sense of self. Overall, "Trampoline" captures the internal conflict of trying to move forward while being tethered to the past, highlighting the struggle to find independence and self-acceptance.