The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows

I was a junior in high school way back in '03 when this song first came out. I remember listening to it for the first time and it immediately became clear that it had the potential to become one of my all-time favorites (along with Everlong and There Is A Light...), which it soon did. 

It was only until recently that I started thinking about the lyrics and sought to interpret what they mean. The general background seems to be about a couple once young and madly in love, now faced with the difficult choice of marriage/staying together after the relationship has fallen apart and all the problems that come with it... 

We saw the western coast 

I saw the hospital // The west represents the end of the frontier in American history, and this symbolizes when the singer realizes that his love for her is nearing an end.

Nursed the shoreline like a wound

Reports of lover's tryst

Were neither clear nor descript // The shoreline symbolizes breaking up, which he does not do but rather he nurses his pain and carries on. His love for her, having faded, is questionable.

We kept it safe and slow

The quiet things that no one ever knows // He is unhappy but cannot let go. For the sake of staying together, he keeps things safe and slow and continues the relationship. All his thoughts/feelings of sadness and regret are kept to himself...

[Chorus: x2]

So keep the blood in your head

And keep your feet on the ground // He must keep his feelings and emotions bottled and in check.

If today's the day it gets tired

Today's the day we drop out // Emotional fatigue is taking its toll and should he lose it, his emotions will get the better of him and he will end it.

Gave up my body and bed

All for an empty hotel

Wasting words on lower cases and capitals // He has sacrificed a great deal through all of this.

I contemplate the day we wed

Your friends are boring me to death

Your veil is ruined in the rain // The future with her looks bleak, he dislikes her friends/family, the marriage appears doomed to fail.

By then it's you I can do without

There's nothing new to talk about // He is unhappy and bored, his interest is gone.

And though our kids are blessed

Their parents let them shoulder all the blame // They are bound to this relationship because of their children, they carry the blame.

[Bridge: x2]

I lie for only you

And I lie well...

Hallelu... // He wants to scream his heart out to her. I lied to you and did it so well that we are still together. I don't love you anymore.