Meaning of "Up the Junction" by Squeeze

"Up the Junction" explores the ups and downs of a relationship, highlighting the complexities of love and the bittersweet nature of life. The lyrics depict a seemingly ordinary relationship that starts with a chance encounter on a windy common and develops into cohabitation and parenthood. The initial happiness and excitement in the relationship are portrayed through the narrator's affectionate descriptions of spending time with the girl from Clapham. They kiss, miss their favorite hangout spot, and find joy in the anticipation of their child's arrival. However, as the song progresses, the relationship takes a darker turn. The introduction of the job and the narrator's commitment to saving money for the health of his partner suggests a sense of responsibility and maturity. But this responsibility also brings with it a sense of stagnation and monotony, as the couple's life revolves around work and the smell of diapers. The line "Late evenings by the fire with little kicks inside her" captures the intimacy and anticipation of parenthood but also hints at the loss of intimacy between the couple. The subsequent revelation that the mother leaves the narrator due to his drinking problem adds a layer of tragedy and regret. The narrator's life takes a downward spiral, marked by the devil's presence leading him from bar to street to bookie. The loss of love and the narrator's isolation are further emphasized by the imagery of being alone in the kitchen. The inability of the mother to forgive and the assumption that the relationship is beyond repair leave the narrator feeling trapped and abandoned. Through its detailed narrative, "Up the Junction" portrays the complexities and realities of relationships, capturing the ups and downs, the joy and pain, and the sense of longing for what is lost.