Adult Diversion by Alvvays Lyrics Meaning – Uncovering the Layers of Yearning and Resilience
Lyrics
Even if you don’t notice
As I admire you on the subway
When it’s dark outside your house
You won’t let anybody out
And keep a padlock on the door, well
One more cocktail
And I’m on your trail
If I should fall
Act as though it never happened
I will retreat
And sit inside so very quietly
How do I grow old with you?
Even if you don’t notice
As I pass by you on the sidewalk
When it’s dark outside your house
You won’t let anybody out
You’re keeping a dead girl in the closet
One more cocktail
Is it a good time?
Or is it highly inappropriate?
If I should fall
Act as though it never happened
I will retreat
And then go back to university
If I should fall
Act as though it never happened
I will retreat
And sit inside so very quietly
I won’t waste a moment
I won’t waste a moment
I won’t waste a
If I should fall
Act as though it never happened
I will retreat
And sit inside so very quietly
If I should fall
Act as though it never happened
I will retreat
And then go back to university
At the intersection of indie pop and lyrical introspection, Alvvays’s ‘Adult Diversion’ stands as a shining artefact of modern-day balladry. The track, deceptively catchy, spirals into the depths of unrequited love and the juxtaposition of persistence versus the poignant realization of rejection.
Beneath its surf-pop sheen, ‘Adult Diversion’ is laden with complex emotions encased in the shimmery reverberation of guitars—a typical compositional magic of Alvvays. The song’s lyrical canvas paints a picture of longing, self-awareness, and the sometimes invisible line between affection and obsession.
The Pursuit of Affection in Transit
‘Adult Diversion’ propels us through a narrative of yearning set against the mundane backdrop of city transit. Alvvays, through their lyrical prowess, elevates a simple admiration aboard the subway into a tale of what it means to desire closeness with someone who may not even recognize your existence.
This pursuit of affection is rife with an innocent hopefulness, the sort that can easily be found in the throes of a shared glance or a coincidental encounter. It’s this universality that anchors the song, making it resonant with anyone who’s ever secretly pined after another.
Padlocked Hearts and Unentered Territories
The subtle imagery of a padlocked door in the song signifies more than just an unrequited love story. It delves into the resistance one faces when trying to connect with someone—the metaphorical and, sometimes, literal barriers that stand between longing and belonging.
It reflects a universally relatable sentiment of confrontation with an impermeable personal space, a theme that echoes the frustrations and the complexities of trying to forge a connection in an increasingly isolated world.
Cocktail Hour: Intoxication and Intent
The invocation of ‘One more cocktail’ serves as both a lighthearted wink to the convivialities that might grease the wheels of social interaction and a darker insinuation of the lengths to which one might go to blur the sobering reality of rejection.
This repeated motif exposes the song’s character in moments of vulnerability and perhaps a tinge of desperation, succinctly capturing the liminal space where social lubrication could either open doors or close them even tighter.
Enigmatic Narratives: A Dead Girl in the Closet?
Seemingly out of place, the line ‘You’re keeping a dead girl in the closet’ jolts the listener out of the indie pop reverie. This startling lyric could allude to deep secrets, the metaphorical skeletons that we all keep hidden, which prevent us from allowing others to get close.
The darkness implied here could hint at the deeper corners of the human psyche, suggesting the titular ‘Adult Diversion’ is not as innocent as it seems, and that beneath the facade lie untold stories and hushed whispers of more sinister natures.
Embracing Defeat with Quiet Dignity
The resolve to ‘act as though it never happened’ should one face rejection speaks volumes of the resilience that permeates the heart of ‘Adult Diversion.’ The character’s plan to retreat with quiet grace is a powerful testament to self-preservation and dignity in the face of unreciprocated feelings.
While the repetition of this plan throughout the song might denote a sense of defeat, there is an undeniable strength in the acceptance of reality and the ability to continue with life, ‘to go back to university,’ and to move forward despite the fall.
