It's all a matter of soul and fire
Infatuation or true desire
The thrill of discovery, divine intervention
Cruel, cruel change, pain of rejection
As you walk away, think of all the joy we shared
If you decide you need me, I'll be wondering if I care
Not there to soothe your soul, friend to tender friend
I think our love is coming to an end
King persuader, congratulations
Share her heart, you bought her soul
Princess confusion, come to me again
Saying goodbye was so much fun
When you walk away, feel the freedom in your heart
There's a joy in letting go, free to find a love apart
When I lose control, I need a kind, forgiving friend
But I think our love is coming to an end
I know our love is coming to an end

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sebadoh's song Soul and Fire are a reflection on the complexities and emotional turmoil of love and relationships. The first line - "It's all a matter of soul and fire" - suggests that love is something that cannot be quantified or measured, but rather is a powerful force that drives our emotions and actions. The next line - "Infatuation or true desire" - hints at the uncertainty and ambiguity that can cloud our feelings and make it difficult to determine whether our love is genuine or simply a passing infatuation.

The following lines touch on the conflicting emotions that can arise in a relationship - the thrill of discovery and divine intervention contrasting with the pain of rejection and cruel change. The singer's sense of loss and regret is palpable, as they contemplate the possibility of their love coming to an end. The reference to "King persuader" and "Princess confusion" suggests that there may be another party involved, and that the singer may be struggling with feelings of jealousy and inadequacy.

Ultimately, the song seems to be about letting go of a relationship that has run its course. The final lines - "When I lose control, I need a kind, forgiving friend / But I think our love is coming to an end" - encapsulate the singer's struggle to come to terms with the end of their relationship, and their need for emotional support in order to move on.

Line by Line Meaning

It's all a matter of soul and fire
The basis of love is rooted in passion and intensity

Infatuation or true desire
A person must determine whether their feelings were infatuation or true desire

The thrill of discovery, divine intervention
Finding love can be exciting and feel as though fate brought the individuals together

Cruel, cruel change, pain of rejection
The heartbreak of experiencing change and rejection in a relationship can be unbearable

As you walk away, think of all the joy we shared
When leaving a relationship, remember the positive memories that were shared

If you decide you need me, I'll be wondering if I care
After a break-up, if the other person changes their mind, the singer questions if they still care

Not there to soothe your soul, friend to tender friend
The singer will not be there to comfort the other person through the end of the relationship

I think our love is coming to an end
The artist believes the relationship is ending

King persuader, congratulations
The other person who caused the relationship to end is congratulated for their successful persuasion

Share her heart, you bought her soul
The other person has bought the attention and affection of the person the artist loved

Princess confusion, come to me again
The person the singer loved is referred to as a confusing princess, but the singer still wishes for their return

Saying goodbye was so much fun
The other person enjoyed ending the relationship

When you walk away, feel the freedom in your heart
The singer encourages the other to feel free when leaving the relationship

There's a joy in letting go, free to find a love apart
There is happiness in moving on and finding a love that is separate from the past relationship

When I lose control, I need a kind, forgiving friend
The singer needs someone who is understanding and compassionate when they are struggling with the end of the relationship

But I think our love is coming to an end
The artist believes their relationship will soon be over

I know our love is coming to an end
The artist is certain that the relationship will end

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