Jacket
David Vandervelde Lyrics

The song "Jacket" by David Vandervelde is a contemplation on the singer's relationship with someone who is consistently cruel and self-centered, yet seemingly unaware of their own shortcomings. The opening line, "You have always got a way of being cruel," sets the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting the singer's frustration with the behavior of this person. Despite this, the singer recognizes that this cruelty comes from a place of misguided honesty, as if the person believes that being truthful justifies being unkind.

The song delves deeper into the singer's observations of this person's behavior, referencing their love of guarantees and comfort, as evidenced by their "pretty house with a cup of tea." Despite this veneer of security, the person is consistently forgetful and unaware of their surroundings, as seen in the repeated admonishment to remember their jacket when it is raining outside. The singer also notes that this person's lack of consideration and their tendency to disregard rules can be dangerous, as they are "always driving on the yellow line."

The song's ebullient musical accompaniment belies its cynical lyrics, mirroring the disconnect between the overt happiness of the person being critiqued and their underlying flaws. Through "Jacket," David Vandervelde has created a critique of toxic behavior, cautioning against self-centeredness and urging us to be more mindful of others.