Wintering by The 1975 Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Layers of Storytelling and Sentiment
Lyrics
It’s just, it’s just come straight in, just be like
She walks down the stairs, feeling herself
Looking like she just won a court case
He’s got a funny way of using the same four chords for every song he makes
Yeah, he’s called Bill and he plays with words
Like a skill, yeah, he’s pretty great
He said his official friend died ’cause of a fish he ate
Yeah, she’s called Hannah and she plays the Joanna
Grade eight, but she’s got no soul
John’s obsessed with fat ass and he’s ten years old
Oh, Dad’s an “Otis Reading at a wedding” type guy
With the best voice you’ve ever heard
He said, “Give me a date I can work on, my heart hurts”
I get home on the 23rd
Yeah, drive up on the 23rd
And I bumped into Judy in the co-op
She asked how the family’s been
I said, “Alex is a sculptor and Olivia’s been a vegan since ten”
Well, Vin wears dresses while Debbie coalesces
In a fleece that doesn’t work
And I’ll be giving my chair to my mum ’cause her back hurts
I get home on the 23rd
Yeah, drive up on the 23rd (yeah, yeah)
Now mum’s not a fan of that line about her back
She said it makes her sound frumpy and old
I said, “Woman, you are sixty-four years old”
Now stop the percussion, I wanna have a discussion
And it’s Christmas so this is gonna be a nightmare
I just came for the stuffing, not to argue about nothing
But mark my words, I’ll be home on the 23rd
Yeah, drive up on the 23rd
Oh, come home on the 23rd
Yeah
Ooh
The 1975 has a knack for weaving intricate narratives with their music, often blurring the lines between personal anecdote and universal story. ‘Wintering’ is a track that escapes easy definition, its lyrics unfolding like pages from a well-worn journal, capturing snapshots of life with a candidness that is as engaging as it is elusive.
At a first listen, ‘Wintering’ might strike as an eclectic conglomeration of names and references, a patchwork of the personal and mundane. However, the beauty of this track lies in its unapologetically raw portrayal of family, the festive season, and the intimate moments that define us. Let’s delve into the world of ‘Wintering’ and examine the song’s hidden depths, pondering over the meaning behind its evocative lyrics.
A Vivid Tapestry of Characters
‘Wintering’ introduces us to a cast of characters, each sketching a portion of the tapestry that makes up the lyricist’s life. She who ‘walks down the stairs, feeling herself,’ and Bill with his play on words, are not merely characters but representatives of the quirks and traits that make us uniquely human. These figures are cameos in the greater narrative, personifying fragments of the artist’s world that resonate with authenticity.
When we look closer, these individuals become reflections of ourselves and those we know. The song encapsulates the essence of personal histories and the connections that bind them. The quirky inclinations of each character—be it Hannah on the Joanna or John’s youthful obsessions—are all too relatable, offering a glimpse into the universality of the human experience.
The Sentimentality of Coming Home
The repetitive phrases ‘I get home on the 23rd’ and ‘drive up on the 23rd’ serve as anchors within the song’s structure, emphasizing the significance of returning home. This homecoming is not just about place, but about re-engaging with one’s roots, with the origin of all these memories and anecdotes.
There is something innately nostalgic about the idea of returning to one’s familial nest. ‘Wintering’ exploits this sentiment to the fullest, juxtaposing the excitement and dread of familial gatherings. This is especially poignant over the backdrop of the holiday season—a time when such emotions are magnified and memories, both sweet and sour, come flooding back.
The Heart of the Holidays: Connection or Confrontation?
The 1975 doesn’t shy away from the fact that the holidays can often be a double-edged sword, a time for togetherness that can just as easily devolve into discord. The song’s narrative takes a turn as it refers to an anticipated argument, with the line ‘I just came for the stuffing, not to argue about nothing’ encapsulating the reluctant participation in potential holiday drama.
This tension is tangible in ‘Wintering.’ It’s a reminder that beneath the surface of festive celebrations lies a more complex web of family dynamics. The lyrics elicit a feeling of ambivalence; there’s the warmth of shared history but also the possibility of resurrected quarrels, an inevitable element of the holiday season for many.
The Hidden Meaning: Storytelling as Healing
‘Wintering’ is not just a playful commentary on family and festive quirks; it’s a therapeutic exercise in storytelling. By vocalizing these stories, by naming these characters, the artist engages in an act of reflection that is both healing and transformative.
This song is a vehicle for processing the bittersweet cocktail of life—its joy, its silliness, and its pain. The act of telling one’s story, of laughing at the absurdity, and wincing at the discomfort, is a powerful means of coming to terms with the multifaceted nature of existence. The words of ‘Wintering’ become a balm, soothing the strain of emotional return.
Memorable Lines That Echo in the Minds
Lines such as ‘John’s obsessed with fat ass and he’s ten years old’ or ‘Vin wears dresses while Debbie coalesces’ are more than mere lyrics; they are sticky notes of memory, random yet vivid, that linger long after the song has ended. These are the idiosyncrasies that make the people in our lives so unforgettable, the details that contribute to the rich pastiche of our shared humanity.
In illustrating such memorable snapshots with humorous precision, ‘Wintering’ becomes an anthem for all those who find beauty in the mundane. It celebrates the peculiar threads woven into the fabric of family, of togetherness, acknowledging both the joy and the inevitable awkwardness that come with being part of a community—a family, in all its imperfect glory.
