French Exit
The Antlers Lyrics

The lyrics to The Antlers' song "French Exit" paint a picture of a tumultuous relationship. The singer describes how every time they speak, their partner is "spitting in [their] mouth," and every time they meet, their partner is "shrieking in [their] ear." The repetition of these phrases emphasizes the intensity and unpleasantness of their interactions. The singer goes on to express frustration with how their partner is trying to change them or fix them, insisting that they are not a "puppy you take home." The lines "Everyone I loved kept me tangled in my heart / You'll tie that knot a bit too loose" suggest that the singer has a pattern of becoming emotionally attached too quickly and easily, and that their partner is not treating them any differently despite their insistence that they are different from past partners.

The mood of the song is one of exasperation and exhaustion. The repetition of the phrase "come on" creates a sense of urgency and frustration, as if the singer is pleading with their partner to change their behavior or to see things from their perspective. It's clear that the relationship is not a healthy one, but the singer seems unsure of how to extricate themselves from it. The title of the song, "French Exit," refers to the practice of leaving a party without saying goodbye, and could be interpreted as an analogy for the way the singer wants to leave the relationship - abruptly and without fanfare.