Meaning of "Westbound & Down" by Of Mice & Men

The lyrics of "Westbound & Down" delve into the themes of disappointment, fake relationships, and the search for authenticity. The song begins with the narrator recalling their father's words, expressing a desire for them to make him proud. However, the narrator reflects on how their actions and choices have made their father's pride unattainable. This can be seen in the line, "If only he could see the way you've turned out now."

The following lines, "Go ahead baby and say the words you want from me. Believe, cause' I'm the one that wrote this song," portray a sense of disillusionment. The narrator no longer believes in the words and promises made by the other person. They feel that the person is merely playing a game, using manipulation and deception to get what they want.

The lyrics also touch on the ephemeral nature of relationships, particularly in the line, "If you could live forever, you'd still wanna be a one night stand." This suggests that the person in question is only interested in short-term satisfaction and is not genuinely invested in a meaningful and lasting connection.

The chorus, "You can walk on, 'cause I'm leaving. Goodbye to you and everything," highlights the narrator's decision to leave this toxic relationship behind. They acknowledge the mess of mistakes that have been made and assert their independence and strength, declaring themselves as heroes who will remain despite the challenges faced.

The lyrics also tackle the concept of being misunderstood. The lines, "Another misread lullaby" and "I won't be misread again, I won't be here waiting, goodbye to you, goodbye," portray frustration at being wrongly interpreted and a determination to not be taken advantage of or manipulated any longer.

The closing lines, "We wrote the book. You wrote the lies. So take this forever. Forth in writing, Oh my God. Oh. My. God," signify the narrator's realization that they have been part of a false narrative. They understand that the other person has contributed to the falsehoods and betrayals in their relationship.

Overall, "Westbound & Down" explores the emotions of disappointment, betrayal, and the desire for authenticity in a relationship. It showcases the narrator's resolve to leave behind toxic connections and seek genuine connections in the future.