The food that I'm eating is suddenly tasteless
I know I'm alone now
I know what it tastes like

So break me to small parts
Let go in small doses
But spare some for spare parts
There might be some good ones!

Like you might make a dollar
I'm inside your mouth now
Behind your tonsils
Peaking over your molars

You're talking to her now
You've eaten something minty
And you're making that face that I like
When you're going in for the kill kill
For the killer kiss kiss for the kiss kiss

I need your money
It'll help me
I need your car and I need your love
I need your money
It'll help me
I need your car and I need your love
So won't you help a brother out?
Won't you help a brother out?
Won't you help a brother out out out out out?

Just break me to small parts
Let go in small doses
But spare some for spare parts
You might make a dollar
You might make a dollar
So won't you help a brother out?
Won't you help a brother out out out out out?

Just break me to small parts
Let go in small doses
But spare some for spare parts
There might be some good ones

You might make a dollar

Overall Meaning

Regina Spektor's song "Ode to Divorce" is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking reflection on the aftermath of a broken relationship. In the first verse, Regina sings about how the food she's eating tastes suddenly tasteless, symbolizing her emotional emptiness and loss of connection. She is now alone and knows what it's like to be alone. In the following lines, Regina implores her former lover to break her into small parts and let go in small doses, sparing some for spare parts. She wants him to remember the good parts of their relationship, even though it has ended. She says he might make a dollar from those spare parts, symbolizing how even in pain, there is still some value left to be had.

In the next verse, Regina sings as if she's inside her ex's mouth, looking through his teeth and making observations about his demeanor. She notes that he's talking to someone else, probably another woman since he's eating something minty, which suggests he's close to someone he's comfortable with. Regina admits she needs his money, car, and love, which is a plea that's both heartbreaking and desperate. She then repeats the chorus, asking him to break her down and spare some parts, emphasizing her own desire to hold onto the good parts of their relationship. The song ends with Regina repeating the plea for help, asking him to 'help a brother out' even though she knows that's unlikely to happen.

Overall, the song's message is an anguished one about reeling from a broken relationship and grappling with the loss of comfort and companionship that it brings.

Line by Line Meaning

The food that I'm eating is suddenly tasteless
I don't find pleasure in anything anymore.

I know I'm alone now
I'm single and feeling lonely.

I know what it tastes like
I already know how the story ends.

So break me to small parts
End this relationship gradually.

Let go in small doses
Detach yourself from me slowly.

But spare some for spare parts
Don't completely discard me, I might have some value left.

There might be some good ones!
There could be something positive that comes out of this relationship.

Like you might make a dollar
You could benefit financially from our separation.

I'm inside your mouth now
I'm always on your mind.

Behind your tonsils
You're hesitant to speak about me.

Peaking over your molars
You're still holding on to our memories.

You're talking to her now
You've moved on and found someone new.

You've eaten something minty
You're distracted and not fully present in this conversation.

And you're making that face that I like
You're unintentionally reminding me of the good times we shared.

When you're going in for the kill kill
You're no longer the same person who loved me.

For the killer kiss kiss for the kiss kiss
You're giving your new love all the attention that I used to get.

I need your money
I'm financially dependent on you.

It'll help me
It'll make things easier for me.

I need your car and I need your love
I miss everything about being in a relationship with you.

Won't you help a brother out?
Please be considerate towards me.

Just break me to small parts
Please don't hurt me all at once.

You might make a dollar
You could profit from our separation.

Won't you help a brother out out out out out?
Please show some compassion, and help me through this difficult time.

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