Meaning of "30 Minute Boyfriend" by Julian Casablancas

The lyrics of "30 Minute Boyfriend" explore the complexities of a relationship where one person is in a committed relationship while the other is left as the second choice or secret lover. Casablancas starts off by acknowledging the woman's physical attractiveness and her awareness of it. He then implies that she has a boyfriend but conveniently forgets about him when she spends time with the narrator. This portrays the woman as someone who is not loyal and easily shifts her attention to whoever suits her desires at the moment. The line "He's my best friend, that's all," suggests that the narrator is trying to justify his involvement with her by downplaying the significance of their relationship.

The next verse delves into a manipulative aspect of the relationship, with Casablancas singing, "Divide and conquer, train him to be greedy." This line suggests that the woman is purposely pitting her boyfriend against the narrator, perhaps to test their loyalty or to benefit from their competitive nature. The question of why the person with the advantage would fight fair implies that the woman is cunning and has an advantage in the situation. She is using her power over both men to her benefit, further highlighting her manipulative nature.

Casablancas then questions whether the woman will become what other people think of her, suggesting that she may be trying to conform to societal expectations or seeking validation from others. He also expresses a hint of concern about her feeling lonely when she's with him, implying that their relationship may not be emotionally fulfilling or genuine. The chorus repeats the desire to be with the woman and the longing to have her presence, but also emphasizes that they are not lovers, just waiting for each other.

Towards the end of the song, Casablancas reflects on leaving and how it seemed to have made the woman mad. This indicates that he holds some power or influence in the relationship and that his absence can impact her emotions. The song ends with a sense of frustration and confusion, with Casablancas mentioning the woman talking about what he is saying, suggesting a lack of communication and a disconnect between them.