It's difficult not to worry about what happens next
Certain looks sort out confused looks
And certain looks sport confused looks
And I watched us talking in the mirror
And you put on that look
That says this little star wishes she weren't single

It is the eye that catches me a man protesting his worth
It is the year that catches you putting the shake on your words
You are alert as a tigress at a common table with her fate
You can almost taste it

We'll be gone be morning or be together by then
We'll be gone be morning or be together by then
And I believe every woman has made up her mind to win

Overall Meaning

In the song "Tigress" by Songs: Ohia, the singer reveals his anxieties about what will happen in the future. He finds it challenging to not worry about what will happen next. The song’s opening lines suggest that there are particular looks that sort out confused looks, and some looks sport confused looks. This observation leads the singer to reflect on a moment when he was talking with someone else in front of a mirror. The person he was talking to put on a look that subtly revealed her desire to be in a relationship. The singer notices this, and his sensitivity to nonverbal cues highlights his anxiousness about missing signs that may be important for the future.

The song takes an interesting turn when the singer shifts from reflecting on his own fears to talking about a tigress at a common table with her fate. The image of the tigress is evocative, and it is used to describe a woman who is alert and ready to seize her opportunity to succeed. The singer believes that every woman has made up her mind to win. The uncertainty in the singer's life appears in stark contrast to the tigress’ confident stance. The song seems to suggest that even though the future is uncertain, we should remain focused, alert, and ready to seize opportunities that come our way.

Line by Line Meaning

It's difficult not to worry about what happens next
It's natural to be anxious about the future.

Certain looks sort out confused looks
Some facial expressions help us understand what others are feeling or thinking.

And certain looks sport confused looks
Other facial expressions can be misleading and cause confusion.

And I watched us talking in the mirror
The artist observed a conversation between himself and someone else in a reflective surface.

And you put on that look
The other person made a specific expression with their face.

That says this little star wishes she weren't single
The expression made by the other person conveys a desire to not be single anymore.

It is the eye that catches me a man protesting his worth
The singer notices when someone is trying to prove their value through their gaze.

It is the year that catches you putting the shake on your words
One's confidence may waver and be revealed through verbal hesitations.

You are alert as a tigress at a common table with her fate
The artist compares the other person's state of readiness to a tigress waiting for her prey.

You can almost taste it
The other person is so focused and prepared that they feel like they can sense the outcome.

We'll be gone be morning or be together by then
The future is uncertain; they may leave or stay together.

And I believe every woman has made up her mind to win
The artist thinks that every woman is determined to succeed in their endeavors.

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