Meaning of "Renée" by Talk Talk

Talk Talk's song "Renée" portrays a sense of disillusionment and the realization of lost time. The lyrics convey a feeling of surprise and disappointment towards the way things have unfolded in the relationship with Renee. The mention of "baby" implies a deep emotional connection that once existed, but the passage of time has brought about changes and fading weeks. There is an acknowledgement of external opinions and rumors about Renee, with neighbors describing her as "out of touch" and living in "faded dreams." This suggests that Renee's struggles and circumstances have affected the relationship and caused a disconnect. The lines "maybe when the cheat plays, maybe when the ace falls from his suit" introduce the idea of betrayal and the speaker suspecting that Renee may have fallen for someone else. The speaker sympathizes but also challenges Renee to confront the reality of the situation rather than continuing to play along. Towards the end, the speaker reflects on the passing of time and questions the authenticity of the relationship, contemplating who is truly fooling whom. Overall, "Renée" is a contemplative song about the changing dynamics of a relationship, the impact of time and external perceptions, and the self-awareness that comes with a realization of truth.