Meaning of "Only Son" by Liz Phair

The lyrics of "Only Son" by Liz Phair express deep feelings of self-doubt, guilt, and a desire for redemption. The narrator reflects on the ways they have failed their family, feeling like the "worst kind of son" and expressing remorse for causing pain. The references to babies being born to the wrong people and a field full of poppies suggest a sense of fragility and innocence contrasted with the narrator's own sense of being damaged or corrupted. The repeated lines about losing their mind and soul convey a feeling of spiraling out of control and a desperate plea for someone to bring them back home, symbolizing a desire for safety and healing. Overall, the lyrics paint a poignant portrait of someone grappling with deep-seated insecurities and the consequences of their actions, looking for a way to reconcile their past mistakes with a hope for a brighter future.