Sparklers
Pocketbooks Lyrics
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I can pinpoint the day it arrived
When the apples turned easily loose in my hands or just fell to the ground
When the seasonal staff and the locals combine then the sparks start to fly
But the sparks never last
We worked morning shifts in the orchards
You bunked in the landowner’s barn
And with reckless regard for the trees all around we’d share sparklers
And the lights burned your name
In the lids of my eyes
It burned under my skin
But we both knew the deal
That you’ll follow the summer to wherever it lands
And just leave me behind
When the orchards run dry
Where the sparks never last
And for two months a year I’m in love with it all
But as quickly as summer arrives then it’s all gone, sweeping everyone up
Almost everyone up
Us locals stay put while the seasonals move to another more seasonal town
And if I keep my head down well they might keep me on through the winter
As the students depart
To the next college term
As the winter draws in
Well, could we broker a deal?
And let's follow the summer to wherever it lands
Just don't leave me behind
In this seasonal decline
Where the sparks never last
The song "Sparklers" by Pocketbooks tells a story of a fleeting summer romance that occurs on an orchard farm. The song begins by stating that the singer's summer began in September, which may imply that they were either away from their normal life or were experiencing a delayed summer season. The singer then describes the moments when the apples were ready to be picked and the locals and seasonal workers came together, igniting a spark in their social interactions. However, as the song suggests, this spark never lasts, perhaps indicating that the seasonal workers leave when the orchards run dry or when the summer ends.
The second verse describes the daily life of working in the orchards, sleeping in a barn, and throwing alfresco parties. The line "And with reckless regard for the trees all around we’d share sparklers" suggests a carefree attitude towards the surroundings, which may reflect the transient nature of the relationships in the summer. The sparklers would burn the name of the person in the singer's eyes and under their skin, which could illustrate the intensity of the emotions they felt during this brief period. The chorus repeats the sentiment that the summer romance will be temporary and that the seasonal workers will leave, whereas the singer may stay behind.
The bridge highlights the contrast between seasonal and permanent residence, with the locals staying behind while the students and seasonal workers move on to another town. The desire to follow the summer wherever it lands, to not be left behind, and to broker a deal may suggest either a willingness to adapt to the transient lifestyle or a longing for stability. Overall, the song "Sparklers" by Pocketbooks is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of summer relationships and the desire to hold onto those moments.
Line by Line Meaning
My summer began in September
The singer's summer started later than most people's.
I can pinpoint the day it arrived
The singer is able to identify the exact moment when summer began.
When the apples turned easily loose in my hands or just fell to the ground
The singer identifies the signs of the beginning of autumn by the way apples would easily fall off the tree.
When the seasonal staff and the locals combine then the sparks start to fly
The artist explains how exciting it is when people from different backgrounds come together during the summer season.
But the sparks never last
The excitement of the summer comes to an end all too quickly.
We worked morning shifts in the orchards
The singer describes the work that was done in the orchards.
You bunked in the landowner’s barn
The singer explains where they lived during the summer.
And despite early starts we’d throw alfresco parties than ran through the night
The artist talks about how they would party outdoors despite having to wake up early to work.
And with reckless regard for the trees all around we’d share sparklers
The artist admits that they didn't always take care of the environment when having fun.
And the lights burned your name
The glow from the sparklers created an image of the person's name.
In the lids of my eyes
The sparklers left an impression in the singer's memory.
It burned under my skin
The experience affected the artist emotionally and physically.
But we both knew the deal
Both parties understood that the relationship was seasonal.
That you’ll follow the summer to wherever it lands
The singer acknowledges that the other person will move on to the next summer location.
And just leave me behind
The singer expresses feeling abandoned by the other person after the summer ends.
When the orchards run dry
The artist realizes that the work is done when the harvest season is over.
Where the sparks never last
The artist knows that the thrill of the summer will not last forever.
And for two months a year I’m in love with it all
The singer describes how they feel during the short summer season.
But as quickly as summer arrives then it’s all gone, sweeping everyone up
The singer acknowledges how fleeting the summer season is.
Almost everyone up
Most people move on to the next seasonal town.
Us locals stay put while the seasonals move to another more seasonal town
The artist talks about how the locals remain in the same town while others move on to the next seasonal location.
And if I keep my head down well they might keep me on through the winter
The artist hopes to keep their job through the winter season.
As the students depart
The singer describes how college students leave at the end of the summer season.
To the next college term
The students return to school after the summer season is over.
As the winter draws in
The singer explains that the winter season is approaching.
Well, could we broker a deal?
The singer proposes a compromise.
And let's follow the summer to wherever it lands
The singer suggests that they move on to the next summer location.
Just don't leave me behind
The artist requests that the other person doesn't leave them behind again.
In this seasonal decline
The artist acknowledges that the post-summer period is a let-down.
Where the sparks never last
The excitement of the summer is always short-lived.
Contributed by Kennedy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.