Like many before him, Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) was a frustrated colle… Read Full Bio ↴Like many before him, Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) was a frustrated college student before he was an acclaimed songwriter. While majoring in English, with an emphasis on creative writing at the University of Montana, he also played in an alternative-countryish band called Tarkio from 1996 - 1999. Members included Colin Meloy, Gibson Hartwell, Louis Stein, and Brian Collins. In 2006, Kill Rock Stars released a 2-cd discography of Tarkio's material entitled "Omnibus".

Better Half
Tarkio Lyrics

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Tender the light
I left you for your better half
Tender the light
I left you for your better half
It's not better by half

But, I'm not the only one
Who let you down

I'm not the only one who
I'm not the only one who

Turned your head around
Turned your upper down
Tender the light
I left you for your better half

Sweet was the wine
Sweet was the opium-fettered soul
Sweet was the wine
Sweet was the opium-fettered soul
And I lost control

But I'm not the only one
Who let you down
I'm not the only one who
I'm not the only one who
Turned your head around

Turned your upper down
Tender the light
I left you for your better half

Well, this is the light
List the coordinates of your heart
Oh, this is the light
This is the crankshaft of your car
It's not better by far

But, I'm not the only one
Who let you down
I'm not the only one who
I'm not the only one who
Turned your head around

Turned your upper down
Tender the light
I left you for your better half

I left you for your better half
I left you for your better half

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Better Half" by Tarkio seem to be an apology from the singer to his ex-partner for leaving her for someone he believed was better than her. He refers to himself as not the only one who let her down, implying that they may have been unfaithful or disloyal in other ways. The song acknowledges the sweetness of indulgence and the opium-like allure of a new relationship, but ultimately comes to the realization that his past partner was the better half after all. The repeated phrase "tender the light" suggests a nurturing of the relationship, and perhaps a yearning for reconciliation.

Line by Line Meaning

Tender the light
Be gentle and kind

I left you for your better half
I chose to leave you for someone I believed was better than you

It's not better by half
The person I left you for is not actually better than you

But, I'm not the only one Who let you down I'm not the only one who I'm not the only one who
Other people have failed you too

Turned your head around Turned your upper down
Caused you confusion and pain

Sweet was the wine Sweet was the opium-fettered soul Sweet was the wine Sweet was the opium-fettered soul And I lost control
I was seduced by pleasure and lost my self-control

Well, this is the light List the coordinates of your heart Oh, this is the light This is the crankshaft of your car It's not better by far
This is the true source of your happiness and success, but the person I left you for is still not better than you

Tender the light I left you for your better half I left you for your better half I left you for your better half
Be kind and gentle even though I chose someone else over you

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: COLIN MELOY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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