Meaning of "Sailor Song" by Regina Spektor

"Sailor Song" by Regina Spektor tells a story that is both surreal and grounded in reality. The imagery of a woman kissing but not undressing creates a sense of superficiality and unattainability, perhaps symbolizing unfulfilled desires or unattainable goals. The sailor boys who sing about being forsaken by Kentucky and feeling out of place at sea reflect a sense of displacement and longing for home. The repetition of "Mary Anne's a bitch" can be interpreted as a commentary on the harshness of life and the harsh realities faced by the sailors. The inability of their anchors to reach the bottom of a bathtub and the reflection of the moon on the sails hint at a sense of futility and disorientation. Overall, the song seems to explore themes of unattainable desires, displacement, and the struggle to find a sense of belonging or meaning in an unforgiving world.