Understanding
Black Dresses Lyrics

The opening lines of the song "Understanding" by Black Dresses set the scene of a dreary, urban landscape in 2016, describing a night bus ride through a grey city with chain-link fences, rain, and concrete. The imagery of "picking quarters up off the hardwood" evokes a sense of struggle and desperation. The references to a specific location, the N19 bus route and the Joyce-Collingwood Skytrain station, ground the narrative in a specific place and time, possibly highlighting a moment of emotional turmoil or introspection for the singer.

The lyrics delve into themes of pain, loss, and the struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world. The lines "Hell to me in the moment scream internally, Soul exit's me" suggest a deep inner turmoil and the feeling of being engulfed by darkness. The singer grapples with overwhelming emotions and the urge to express their pain through writing, seeking catharsis and understanding in the act of articulating their innermost thoughts and feelings.

The repetition of the lines "I couldn't figure it out, I couldn't fix it by myself, I couldn't do it alone" underscores the sense of isolation and helplessness experienced by the singer. Despite their attempts to reach out and connect with others by sharing their pain, there is a realization that true understanding may be elusive, as expressed in the lines "But I don't think it's my pain that can be understood, Or needs understanding."

The closing verses of the song reflect a journey towards self-realization and acceptance. The singer confronts their past struggles and confusion, ultimately arriving at a place of clarity and understanding. The acknowledgment that "Maybe people need to be understood instead" suggests a shift in perspective towards empathy and compassion for others. The song ends on a note of introspection and growth, as the singer reflects on their experiences and comes to a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.