Mr. Mistletoe
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I walk alone around the town
I used to walk with you
I watch the lonely snow come down
Down Seventh Avenue
Now dreadful decorations deck the air
And mistletoe is hanging everywhere
But you no longer care
Oh, Mr. Mistletoe
Hanging above
Please go away
I've got no one to love
Oh Mr. Mistletoe
Wither and die
You useless weed
For no one have I
Oh, Mr. Mistletoe
How very rude
Couldn't you tell
I'm not in the mood?
Oh, Mr. Mistletoe
Go find your tree
Didn't you know?
There's no Christmas for me

Oh, Mr. Mistletoe
Go find your tree




Didn't you know?
There's no Christmas for me

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields's song Mr. Mistletoe is a melancholic take on the holiday season. The song is lamenting the loss of a loved one during the holiday season. The opening lines, "I walk alone around the town, I used to walk with you," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is wandering around the city on their own, and they are reminded of their former lover who they used to walk with. They watch the snow falling, and it only emphasizes their loneliness.


The chorus of the song is directed towards the titular character, "Mr. Mistletoe." The mistletoe is a traditional symbol of Christmas and love, but for the singer, it only serves as a reminder of their loneliness. They implore Mr. Mistletoe to go away because they have no one to love. The lyrics become increasingly bitter towards Mr. Mistletoe as the song progresses. The singer calls the plant a "useless weed" and tells it to wither and die.


Overall, Mr. Mistletoe is a poignant reflection on the darker side of the holiday season. While the song does not directly mention the reason for the singer's loneliness, it is clear that they are mourning the absence of someone special in their life.


Line by Line Meaning

I walk alone around the town
I am wandering around aimlessly without anyone by my side.


I used to walk with you
In the past, I had company and walked around this town with someone I cherished.


I watch the lonely snow come down
As the snow falls from the sky, I feel alone and helpless.


Down Seventh Avenue
The specific street name adds to the feeling of loneliness and despair.


Now dreadful decorations deck the air
The festive decorations currently displayed feel oppressive and depressing to me.


And mistletoe is hanging everywhere
The particular decoration most associated with love and affection is all around me, highlighting my loneliness.


But you no longer care
The person I walked with and loved in the past has moved on and does not care about me anymore.


Oh, Mr. Mistletoe
Sarcastic greeting to the decoration that emphasizes my sadness.


Hanging above
Just like love and relationships, the mistletoe hangs above me, unattainable and out of reach.


Please go away
I wish this feeling of despair and loneliness would go away with the holiday decor.


I've got no one to love
Without a significant other or a loved one, the mistletoe serves as a cruel reminder of what I am missing.


Wither and die
I wish the mistletoe would rot and disappear so I wouldn't have to see it anymore.


You useless weed
The sarcastic name calling emphasizes my frustration towards the unattainable feelings represented by the mistletoe.


For no one have I
I have no one to share the holiday cheer with, making the decorations and mistletoe feel extra painful.


How very rude
The mistletoe is reminding me of what I don't have, which makes me feel negative emotions like disappointment and rejection.


Couldn't you tell
The mistletoe serves as a metaphor for the holiday season and the wishes it carries when it comes to relationships, despite my clear lack of such.


I'm not in the mood?
My sour mood and lack of joy for the holiday season is accentuated by the mistletoe's reminder of what I have lost or never had.


Go find your tree
Leave me alone to my misery, and take your decorations with you - I'm not interested in any of it.


There's no Christmas for me
The holiday season has lost all its meaning since it is empty without love and relationships.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions