Meaning of "When I'm Able" by The Revivalists

"When I'm Able" explores the complex emotions and uncertainties that can arise within a relationship. The narrator is clearly infatuated with someone they can't fully grasp or understand. The night symbolizes a time when the narrator feels more open and vulnerable, as they are able to see the other person across the table. However, even in this state, they still question the intent behind the other person's laughter, suggesting a lack of trust or insecurity on the narrator's part.

The idea of calling someone just to call them highlights the narrator's desire for connection and their willingness to make an effort, even if it feels fruitless at times. They are on a "roll" in life, yet they are still searching for this elusive person. Looking out the window pane and feeling the rain washing them away signifies the internal struggle and emotional turmoil they experience due to this relationship.

The narrator makes it clear that they haven't abandoned the other person or left them at the altar, suggesting that there may be unresolved issues or a sense of unfinished business between them. The weight on their relationship is described as a boulder that needs to be lifted, indicating the burden they both carry.

The lyrics shift to the narrator expressing their desire for clarity and understanding. They question if the other person has something left to say, implying that communication is key to resolving the uncertainties they feel. The other person remains a mystery in the daylight, and catching fleeting glimpses of them leaves the narrator feeling stoned or overwhelmed by emotions. They question if they are getting closer to understanding what the relationship could be, but at the same time, they feel further from the truth.

Feeling invisible and miserable, the narrator invites the other person to see them truly by encouraging them to "take a load off wild and free." This could be interpreted as an invitation to let go of any pretenses or defenses and truly open up to each other.

The closing line reveals that the truth that came out was attributed to the other person. This suggests that the relationship may have been clouded by secrets or misunderstandings, and the revelation of the truth has perhaps brought both clarity and a sense of vulnerability.