Meaning of "The Postman" by The American Analog Set

"The Postman" explores the role of a postman as an observer and the glimpses they get into people's lives through their daily interactions. The postman in the song is portrayed as someone who watches over the person they deliver mail to, noticing their habits and emotions. The postman is privy to the person's routines, such as waking up to deliver mail while the person is still sleeping off a hangover and witnessing their frustration with a smoker's cough.

The postman feels a certain sense of intimacy with the person, yet there is an inherent distance between them. The line "I walk your street for hours like some kind of jerk" suggests that the postman spends a significant amount of time delivering mail in the same area, perhaps hoping to catch a glimpse of the person or find some connection. However, any attempt to establish a deeper connection is rebuffed or misunderstood, as shown when the person thinks the postman is turning to flirt but is actually just turning away.

The postman's insight is further revealed when they uncover the reason behind the person's fixation on the East. They discover that the person's partner has run off and that their trash bin is filled with memories of their lost love's artistic expressions. The postman discovers this through reading the partner's postcard, featuring a meeting with someone named Cass, which shattered the person's heart.

Overall, "The Postman" delves into themes of loneliness, longing, and the desire for connection. The postman acts as a silent observer, witnessing the person's ups and downs, and even gathering secret information about their personal life through the mail. However, this voyeuristic role doesn't lead to a meaningful relationship between the postman and the person they deliver mail to. The song highlights the disconnect and isolation that can exist even in the midst of daily interactions.