Meaning of "Tiger Lily" by Luna

"Tiger Lily" by Luna explores themes of longing, desire, and missed opportunities in love. The song opens with the lines "Sweet obscenity, bring her back to me," suggesting a desire to reconnect with a past love interest. The mention of being "lost in her perfume" and thinking about suing indicates that the memories of this person have a powerful and lasting impact on the protagonist.

The repetition of the line "Didn't I know it, didn't I call her name" suggests that the protagonist reflects upon missed chances with the "tiger lily girl." The stale cigarettes crumbling in their fingers and being caught with a drink in their hand allude to perhaps feeling ashamed or regretful for not pursuing the relationship further.

The lyrics further emphasize the longing and admiration for the "tiger lily girl" by describing her as standing "cross-eyed in the corner" and "tongue-tied." This portrayal highlights her uniqueness and captures the protagonist's fascination with her. The line "Somethin' in her eye tells that I should try, Somethin' she might say tells right away" conveys that there are signals and hints from the woman that the protagonist should have picked up on, further reinforcing the sense of missed opportunities.

Overall, "Tiger Lily" conveys a bittersweet nostalgia and regrets about a love interest who left a lasting impression on the protagonist. It explores the longing for a second chance and the realization of potentially overlooking signs and clues that could have led to a deeper connection.