Meaning of "9 Lives" by Self

The lyrics of "9 Lives" seem to speak to themes of loyalty, support, and resilience. The singer offers to be a constant presence and resource for someone, willing to help them get through tough times repeatedly until they have expended all their chances or resources. The metaphor of having 9 lives, like a cat, suggests the idea of being given multiple opportunities to start over or make things right. By offering to be someone's "currency" when they have no money, the singer is symbolically offering themselves as a source of stability and security. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of companionship and dependability, with the underlying message that there are limits to how many times one can rely on others before their support runs out.