In the first verse, the speaker pleads for a map, a clear sense of direction that can guide her away from the "cliff" where she feels trapped and towards a more fulfilling life. However, the chorus reveals that the speaker feels tethered to her partner by their inability to have children together. She daydreams about having a son and giving him a name of her own, but ultimately realizes that any child she has will only serve to cement her identity as someone's wife, not as an individual in her own right.
The second verse continues this theme, with the speaker feeling like her dreams and aspirations are being broken by the demands of her relationship. She wants to break away from the "cliff" and find her own path, but again feels held back by her inability to bear children with her partner.
The outro offers a glimmer of hope, with the speaker looking towards the "morning star" and hoping it won't disappear. This could be interpreted as a symbol of a new beginning, a chance to break free from the confines of her current situation and find a way to define herself on her own terms.
Overall, "Wife" is a poignant exploration of the societal pressures placed on women to conform to traditional gender roles and expectations, and the struggle to find a sense of self within those constraints.
Wife
Mitski Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're home to me
So leave me, leave me
Leave me a map
I'm here at my cliff looking down
I cannot bear you a son, but I will try
For if I am not yours, what am I
I daydream I'd give one a name of my own
For I, even I, even I am alone
I have, I have, I watch a dream
Breaking, breaking, breaking me
Away from my cliff, I'm looking down from
I cannot bear you a son, I have tried
But if I am not yours, what am I
I daydream I'd give him a name of my own
For I, even mine, even mine is unknown
So let me go towards the morning star
With hope it won't disappear
The song "Wife" by Mitski is a melancholic ballad about the singer's desire to be loved and wanted. The lyrics capture the feeling of being lost and alone despite being in a relationship. The first verse begins with the repetition of "you're home" which could refer to the singer's partner, but it is also ambiguous enough to suggest that Mitski is talking to herself. The next line "so leave me, leave me, leave me a map" implies that she is lost and needs direction or guidance in her life.
The second verse is more introspective and sincere, opening with Mitski admitting that she cannot bear a son, but she still wants to try. This could be interpreted as a societal expectation of women to have children, or her longing to create something meaningful and valuable, particularly for her partner. The line "for if I am not yours, what am I" shows the need for validation, a theme that is repeated throughout the song. The singer then goes on to daydream about giving a name to her son, something that would give her a sense of purpose and identity, and alleviate the feelings of loneliness and anonymity that plague her.
The final verse shows a sense of acceptance and resignation. Mitski recognizes that she can't change herself or be what she wants to be for others, and so she chooses to focus on herself. The line "let me go towards the morning star, with hope it won't disappear" implies that there is some positivity and hope on the horizon, but she is still uncertain about whether it will last. Overall, "Wife" is a heart-wrenching exploration of identity, loneliness, and longing for meaningful connection.
Line by Line Meaning
You're home, you're home
You're someone I feel comfortable with and can rely on.
You're home to me
You feel like a place where I belong and am accepted.
So leave me, leave me
Despite feeling safe around you, I need space and freedom to pursue my own dreams and desires.
Leave me a map
I need guidance and direction to navigate my life in my own way.
I'm here at my cliff looking down
I feel overwhelmed and unsure about my life and future.
I cannot bear you a son, but I will try
I feel like I'm not living up to societal expectations and am trying to prove myself by doing everything I can.
For if I am not yours, what am I
My worth and identity are defined by my relationship to others.
I daydream I'd give one a name of my own
I yearn for the ability to create and shape my own identity and legacy.
For I, even I, even I am alone
Despite my relationships and connections, I still feel isolated and misunderstood.
I have, I have, I watch a dream
I have dreams and aspirations that I'm trying to achieve and make real.
Breaking, breaking, breaking me
The pressure and weight of my expectations and realities are wearing me down and causing me pain.
Away from my cliff, I'm looking down from
I'm trying to distance myself from my struggles and emotional turmoil, but I can't completely escape them.
I cannot bear you a son, I have tried
I'm struggling to meet societal expectations and feel like I'm failing in some way.
But if I am not yours, what am I
I'm questioning my own sense of identity and purpose in life.
I daydream I'd give him a name of my own
I want to have the power to shape and define my own legacy and impact.
For I, even mine, even mine is unknown
I'm still trying to figure out who I am and what I want to be.
So let me go towards the morning star
I want to reach for my own goals and aspirations, even if it means leaving behind what's familiar and safe.
With hope it won't disappear
I'm afraid of losing my sense of direction and purpose, but I'm optimistic about the future.
Contributed by Gianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ririsringari5521
[Verse 1]
You're home, you're home, you're home to me
So leave me, leave me, leave me a map
I'm here at my cliff looking down
[Chorus 1]
I cannot bear you a son
But I will try
For if I am not yours, what am I?
I daydream I'd give one a name of my own
For I, even I, even I am alone
[Verse 2]
I have, I have, I watch a dream breaking
Breaking, breaking, breaking me
Away from my cliff, I am looking down from
[Chorus 2]
I cannot bear you a son
I have tried
But if I am not yours, what am I?
I daydream I'd give him a name of my own
For I, even mine, even mine is unknown
[Outro]
So let me go towards the morning star
With hope it won't disappear
@pragmagoth
Personal rant.
I just DESPISE how women go through so much and put up with their husbands. I understand how since the beginning of time, women are conditioned to be companions of men, and the patriarchy convincing us that we need MEN that we need a HUSBAND in order to survive. Which WAS TRUE because of how less rights we had in the past. But now as the times are progressing, there are still women with that mindset because of how different systems across the world oppress them. We get paid less, don't get enough maternity benefits, forced to get married at a young age and GET KILLED if you don't aree with it, SEEN as OBJECTS, HARRASSED, taken for granted.
So much violence conducted by men, and yet we are convinced that we need one. And you're just there to bear them children for their own "survival" THEIR LAST NAME ON A CHILD YOU BEAR FOR 9 EXCRUCIATING MONTHS.
And after that they treat you like an object, but if you don't, YOU'RE USELESS. YOU'RE A WOMAN, YOU'RE THEIR WIFE. YOU'RE USELESS IF YOU CAN'T BEAR A CHILD.
YOU'RE A SAD EMPTY HUMAN BEING IF YOU'RE NOT A MAN'S PROPERTY.
I could go on and on. But I would like to commend Mitski for this art.
@mitskileaks
Mitski's new album 'The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We', featuring the song "My Love Mine All Mine" is out now. Watch the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx4kLgnFexo
Listen to the album: https://mitski.lnk.to/TLIIASAW
@vangieabuyabor1030
There's something behind these kind of songs,Jesus mamuhat ka
@aaronhourmusic
Okay has anyone else noticed how this song begins with an inhale and "me and my husband" begins with an exhale. I have no idea if that was intentional but this small detail has been driving me crazy.
@joeycummens6828
I noticed that too awhile back. Another nice reference to Lush on Be the Cowboy.
@woairinrin
holy shit
@yasinrahman8619
Thanks for this amazing detail
@bestof1506
@@joeycummens6828 Is the other one A Pearl/Pearl Diver?
@cavejohnsonstanaccount4635
@@bestof1506 likely, they’re in similar keys and they both use pearls as a metaphor
@aaabvfefe3872
“For if I am not yours, what am I?”
Broke me.
@alanjosh4335
truly…