Coffee and Cigarettes
Lowen Lyrics

The lyrics of Lowen's song "Coffee and Cigarettes" seemingly describe the tumultuousness of a romantic relationship. The first line describes the object of the singer's affection as a "voice singing in my car," indicating their significant presence in his life. The second line further emphasizes this importance as he declares, "You are the place where I start," suggesting that this person is the impetus for his actions and thoughts. The third line compares the two parties to the Roman gods Venus and Mars, who are often depicted as being in conflict with one another, indicating that the relationship between the singer and this person is fraught with tension. Despite this tension, they are "lumped together even though we're apart," suggesting that they cannot seem to stay away from one another despite any difficulties that may arise.

The second stanza further emphasizes the singer's attachment to this person, likening them to "the smoke from my cigarette" and "the coffee on my breath," both of which are intimately linked to the singer's physical self. The line "you're a question I can't guess" indicates that the singer may not fully understand what this person means to him or what he wants from this relationship. The final line of this stanza "you're the ocean, I'm a mess," suggests that this person is all-encompassing and overwhelming, while the singer may feel inadequate or unable to cope with it all.

The chorus of the song, "Nothing matters, I don't make sense," further reinforces the sense of chaos and confusion that surrounds this relationship. The singer seems to be swept up in his emotions, unable to fully process or articulate what he is feeling. Overall, the lyrics of "Coffee and Cigarettes" suggest a complicated and intense relationship, full of conflicting emotions and desires.