I Save Cigarette Butts
E.S.P. Lyrics

The lyrics of "I Save Cigarette Butts" by E.S.P. tell a story of longing, heartbreak, and missed connections. The singer expresses their devotion to a poor girl across town by saving cigarette butts for her, symbolizing a sense of sacrifice and care for this individual. The mention of "marriage plans" hints at a romantic relationship that could not come to fruition, possibly due to the interference of another man who took her to a wrestling match, distancing her from the singer's reach.

The imagery of Frankenstein and the beauty queen flipping through a "Better Homes & Gardens" magazine while holding hands paints a surreal scene, contrasting with the more mundane act of saving cigarette butts. The introduction of a spider that takes her to another wrestling match symbolizes the continuous thwarting of the singer's attempts to connect with the girl he cares for. The dream sequence with angels playing loud guitars and spilling beer on Jesus adds a fantastical element to the narrative, possibly reflecting on the chaos and unpredictability of life's twists and turns.

As the story unfolds, the singer's focus shifts to a waitress at a pizza shop, emphasizing their infatuation with her as she walks back and forth. However, upon visiting her at her house, the singer discovers her engaged in a wrestling match with another man, mirroring the earlier scene with the poor girl and highlighting a recurring theme of missed opportunities and romantic entanglements.

The repetition of the phrase "I save cigarette butts for a poor girl across town" echoes throughout the song, underscoring the singer's unwavering dedication and attachment to this elusive figure. The act of saving cigarette butts becomes a symbolic gesture of love, resilience, and perhaps a bittersweet reminder of unfulfilled connections. Overall, the lyrics of the song evoke a sense of yearning, nostalgia, and the complexities of human relationships.