Meaning of "Scratch" by Morphine

The lyrics of "Scratch" delve into the experience of losing everything and starting over from nothing. The opening lines hint at a time when the speaker had achieved success and had everything under control but then, something went wrong. The exact cause of this downfall remains uncertain, leaving the speaker in a state of confusion and solitude. The reference to people offering free advice implies that others may try to offer help or guidance, but the speaker believes in the adage "you get what you pay for," meaning they question the value of such counsel.

The repetition of "I lost everything I had, I'm starting over from scratch" emphasizes the profound loss the speaker has experienced. By using the metaphor of starting over "from scratch," they convey the idea of having to rebuild their life from the very beginning, with nothing to rely on. The lyrics suggest that whatever the speaker had desired or needed was all within their reach, symbolized by "cooking on the stove" and having "everything... in the home." However, this ideal existence has been ripped away, leaving the speaker to rediscover or recreate everything they once had. There is a sense of lamentation and longing for the past, where the speaker had the best thing one can have.

The line "It's just a fact" suggests resignation to the reality of their situation. Despite the adversity faced, the world keeps moving, as implied by "the world just keeps on spinning around." This juxtaposition of the speaker's personal struggles against the indifference of the world highlights their resilience and determination to keep going, even if it means starting from scratch. The repetition of "I lost everything I had, I'm starting over from scratch" serves as a mantra, a reminder of the difficult journey ahead.

Overall, "Scratch" explores themes of loss, resilience, and starting over. The lyrics capture the emotional turmoil of losing everything and the challenges of building a new life. Despite setbacks, the speaker maintains a sense of determination, harnessing the strength to face the world and persevere.