Meaning of "Drunken Hearted Man" by The Devil Makes Three

The lyrics of "Drunken Hearted Man" delve into the narrator's personal struggles and the consequences of their actions. The repeated mention of being a "drunken hearted man" serves as a metaphor for their emotional state, suggesting a life filled with despair, sorrow, and regret. This persona is haunted by the choices they have made, particularly in matters of love and relationships.

The narrator acknowledges their difficult upbringing, with their father's death leaving them to be raised by their struggling mother. This turbulent childhood seems to have set the stage for their troubled adult life. They attribute their choices with no-good women to their inability to resist the allure of the "game called love." The repeated refrain, "If I could change my way of living, it would mean so much to me," reveals a longing for redemption and a desire to break free from their destructive patterns.

The lyrics highlight the destructive influence of sin, suggesting that the narrator's downfall is a result of their own weaknesses and vices. The day they succumb to their desires for these no-good women is the day they are bound to fall. Their life is depicted as a cycle of misery, making it clear that their current state is a reflection of their past choices.

The overall theme of "Drunken Hearted Man" is the consequences of one's actions and the longing for a chance of redemption. It serves as a cautionary tale, warning against succumbing to destructive habits and the fleeting pleasures of temptation. It also invites self-reflection, questioning the reasons behind the narrator's inability to leave behind their no-good women and change their way of living.