Inch of Dust
Future Islands Lyrics

The lyrics of "Inch of Dust" by Future Islands reflect on the complexity of romantic relationships, the deep connection and intimacy that comes with loving someone, and the pain that comes with losing someone. The opening lines, "A part of me you have, a part of me you hold, apart from me you stand, and there's parts that you had stole," convey the idea that when we are in love, a piece of ourselves inevitably becomes intertwined with the other person, and it can leave us feeling incomplete when they are no longer with us.

The next few lines, "Littering in the cupboards, like some pieces of the puzzle, a nest just like a mother, the dampness of your sweater," give us an impressionist picture of the person they're singing about - someone who leaves remnants of themselves all over the place, and is like a warm, nurturing presence in the world. However, despite these positive qualities, the relationship is portrayed as never quite being "put together," with the singer watching their lover through the window and feeling separated from them.

Towards the end of the song, the lyrics shift from describing the other person to talking directly to them, with the lines "Call me, I'll be there always" repeated several times, as if the singer is trying to hold onto the connection they once had. The final lines, "The part of you I have, the part of you I hide, the parts of you I stole, the parts you left behind," suggest that despite the pain and separation that has occurred, some part of their lover still lives on inside of them.