Meaning of "One More Mouth" by Josh Ritter

The lyrics of "One More Mouth" by Josh Ritter paint a picture of a relationship where one partner seems distant and closed off. The repeated questions of "how you gonna make it on your own" and "why you gotta hide your face from me" suggest a lack of communication and emotional connection between the two individuals. The imagery of waking up in the night and seeing city lights instead of stars symbolizes a sense of disorientation and lostness, mirroring the confusion the singer feels in trying to understand their partner. The metaphor of moths needing light to circle around the person they are drawn to, while the partner dances around themselves, highlights the theme of emotional distance and unavailability. The singer's attempts to understand and connect, symbolized by trying to see through the partner's facade and stir sugar with a spoon, are met with obstacles like candles being "down and out," representing a lack of light or clarity in the relationship. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of loneliness, longing, and a struggle to bridge the emotional gap between two people.