After a well-received whistle stop UK tour support slot with Kinks front man Ray Davies, Brookes released his debut single on Helium Records as a solo artist Breathe Me In / In Weeks. Brookes is an accomplished musician and performer with an emerging depth and maturity that increasingly shows in his writing. His finely-crafted songs, immaculate phrasing and beautifully modulated delivery reach easily beneath the skin of his audience. The magical space he creates and the elasticity of his writing and playing have the echoes and jazz arches of giants like John Martyn and Tim Buckley who he includes as his influences along with Scott Matthews, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Laura Marling.
On the Mend
Sam Brookes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess I was cold not feeling much anymore
It hugs my back like an old friend
So I guess this is me on the mend
Something shifts and my body moves
I'm using words i'd never choose
I'm dancing free I'm my own best friend
So I guess this is me on the mend
The city never felt like my home
Dunno what i'm doing here and I feel so alone
Maybe we could leave tonight
Burn our clothes, change or names
and be gone by light
So I guess this is me on the mend
So I guess this is me on the mend
The city never felt like my home
Dunno what i'm doing here and I feel so alone
Maybe we can leave tonight
Burn our clothes, change our names,
and be gone by light
Lay our claim to the ground
Can you see where we are bound
You were always my best firend
So I guess this is us on the mend
So I guess this is us on the mend
The city doesn't feel like my home
Dunno what i'm doing here and I feel so alone
Maybe we could leave tonight
Get everything wrong just to get it right
Maybe we could leave tonight
Burn our clothes, change or names,
and be gone by light
Burn our clothes, change our names,
and be gone by light
Burn our clothes change our names
The lyrics to Sam Brookes's "On the Mend" seem to be describing the theme of resilience and new beginnings. The opening line "The sun greets me like never before" sets the tone for a positive change, after previously feeling emotionally numb. The warmth of the sun on the singer's back is compared to that of an old friend, suggesting that the person may have found comfort in a familiar sensation.
The next stanza describes the physical and verbal movements of the singer. They are using words they wouldn't normally choose and dancing freely- indicating a newfound sense of confidence and freedom. This is further confirmed when the singer declares "I'm my own best friend." The repetition of "So I guess this is me on the mend" reinforces the idea that the person is recovering from something, and moving towards a better place emotionally.
The themes of loneliness and isolation are touched upon in the following stanza ("The city never felt like my home/Dunno what I'm doing here and I feel so alone"). This continues to be a prevalent topic throughout the song, suggesting perhaps the reason for the singer's previous emotional state. Finally, the song ends with a suggestion of escape and starting anew, with the repetition of "Maybe we could leave tonight/Burn our clothes, change our names and be gone by light."
Overall, "On the Mend" appears to be a song about finding strength in oneself and pursuing a new, positive start.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun greets me like never before
The warm sunlight feels rejuvenating, a sensation that has never been felt before.
I guess I was cold not feeling much anymore
The person had been feeling numb and detached from their emotions, but the warmth of the sun has reminded them of a sense of feeling they had lost.
It hugs my back like an old friend
The sun's warmth feels like a friendly embrace that brings comfort and a feeling of familiarity.
So I guess this is me on the mend
All of these positive sensations have made the person feel like they are healing or recovering from some emotional struggle.
Something shifts and my body moves
The person's body language and movements have changed, showing a shift in their mindset and mood.
I'm using words I'd never choose
The person is speaking in a way that is more confident and authentic, using language they may not normally use.
I'm dancing free I'm my own best friend
The person is experiencing a sense of liberation and self-acceptance, dancing and feeling at ease in their own skin.
So I guess this is me on the mend
All of these changes indicate a positive trend in the person's emotional and mental health.
The city never felt like my home
The person has been feeling out of place and disconnected from the city they are living in.
Dunno what I'm doing here and I feel so alone
They feel a sense of confusion and loneliness related to their current situation.
Maybe we could leave tonight
The person is considering the option of leaving the city and making a fresh start somewhere else.
Burn our clothes, change our names, and be gone by light
The person is contemplating a complete break from their past and the possibility of starting anew.
Lay our claim to the ground
The person suggests that they could establish a new place and make it their home.
Can you see where we are bound
Asking a friend if they can envision a positive future for them.
You were always my best friend
Expressing gratitude and deep appreciation for their friend who has been a source of comfort and support.
So I guess this is us on the mend
Together, the friends are working toward a better future and overcoming their personal struggles.
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.