On January 4, 2008, after a few months hinting at "change," Dienel announced in her blog that "for the present and foreseeable future, there won’t be any more Casey Dienel." Her blog post coincided with Dead Oceans' announcement of the forthcoming release of White Hinterland's album Phylactery Factory.
All Or Nothing
Casey Dienel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And call my body poison
I wanted a love that would keep
It was all or nothing
In a poplar tree my hopes got caught
And then you broke my heart
And the branches bent just out of reach
I'm going to be just fine
I'll travel down my crooked line
With these images in my head
Of you lying beside me
I still have your old t-shirt
It's starting to smell like dust
And I barely remember your name
It was all or nothing
I'm going to be just fine
I'll travel down my crooked line
With these images in my head
Of you lying beside me
Walking down Huntington Avenue
Since you've gone my steps have turned heavy
Yet I don't regret a thing
As long as there is spring I'll love again
So when the crowd gathered to see the holy end
I loved so hard I broke in half
And my heart shrivelled to potpourri
But it was all or nothing
All or nothing, all or nothing…
I'm going to be just fine
I'll travel down my crooked line
With these images in my head
Of you lying beside me
The song "All or Nothing" by Casey Dienel explores the theme of a failed relationship and unrequited love. The first two lines of the song express confusion as to why the lover left and referred to the singer's body as poisonous. The lines suggest a level of hurt and possibly betrayal on the part of the singer, who had wanted a love that was committed and unconditional.
The second verse of the song then uses imagery to describe the hopes of the singer as getting caught in a tree, while the lover broke her heart. The chorus repeats, reaffirming the all or nothing nature of the love that was desired, and the loss felt when it was not reciprocated.
The final verse of the song depicts a possible acceptance and moving on by the singer, as she walks down Huntington Avenue and acknowledges that although her steps feel heavy, she does not regret loving fully. The line "As long as there is spring, I'll love again," suggests an optimism and hope for the future, despite the pain of the present. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the theme of an intense love that was either fully realized or fully lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, why did you run
Asking the reason for the partner to leave and run away.
And call my body poison
Feeling hurt about being rejected and treated as toxic.
I wanted a love that would keep
Desiring for a long-lasting and secure relationship.
It was all or nothing
Expressing that there were no in-between choices and that the relationship had to be serious.
In a poplar tree my hopes got caught
Referring to a moment where optimism and expectations were dashed.
And then you broke my heart
Explaining the reason why hopes were shattered and trust was lost.
And the branches bent just out of reach
Conveying the sentiment that reaching the dream or the desired goal became impossible.
I'm going to be just fine
Stating the resolve to move on and recover from the heartbreak.
I'll travel down my crooked line
Accepting that the path to healing may not be straightforward or easy.
With these images in my head
Keeping memories and experiences of the relationship in mind.
Of you lying beside me
Recalling intimate moments shared with the partner.
I still have your old t-shirt
Holding on to physical objects that remind the artist of the partner.
It's starting to smell like dust
Indicating that time has passed and things have changed since the relationship ended.
And I barely remember your name
Suggesting that the singer is moving on and forgetting details about the partner.
Walking down Huntington Avenue
Narrating a current moment in the present after the heartbreak.
Since you've gone my steps have turned heavy
Describing how the loss of the partner has affected the artist's daily life.
Yet I don't regret a thing
Asserting that, despite the pain, the relationship was worth it.
As long as there is spring, I'll love again
Remaining optimistic and open to the possibility of a new relationship in the future.
So when the crowd gathered to see the holy end
Painting a metaphorical picture of an ending that felt like a public spectacle.
I loved so hard I broke in half
Acknowledging the intensity of the emotions felt for the partner.
And my heart shriveled to potpourri
Describing the aftermath of the heartbreak and the feeling of being emotionally drained.
But it was all or nothing
Reiterating that the relationship was deeply meaningful and significant, even if it ultimately ended in heartbreak.
All or nothing, all or nothing...
Echoing the same sentiment and emphasizing the central theme of the song.
Contributed by Mia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.