In July 2022, Unwound announced reunion shows set for 2023, featuring Jared Warren of Melvins and Big Business on bass, replacing Vern Rumsey who sadly passed away in 2020.
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Scarlette
Unwound Lyrics
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Did you know that you're the one?
The one that raised the fucking sun.
I missed the train to wait for you,
Stood all night to make things right
Cross my heart and hope to die
Don't recall the reason why
Scarlette,
Please don't talk that way.
I can't stand to hear you say:
'think of me when i'm not here,
Don't doubt me if i'm insincere.'
Cross my heart and hope to die
Don't recall the reason why
My head don't hurt no more,
After you slammed it in the door.
You nearly murdered me!
Left me lying on the floor
You know i know you know i know i know i know you know you know
This is a lunatic project - this is a lunatic project
Scarlette,
Was it meaningless?
Scarlette, was i prey?
Did you like the way i looked at you
When you walked away?
Cross my heart and hope to die
Don't recall the reason why.
The song "Scarlette" by Unwound is a powerful and intense portrayal of a dysfunctional relationship. The song is addressed to a woman named Scarlette who seemingly has a hold over the singer. The first verse opens with a declaration that Scarlette is the one who raised the sun, a metaphor for being the center of the singer's universe. This line is immediately followed by an admission of the singer's desire for her: "I missed the train to wait for you, Stood all night to make things right." The desperation in his voice is palpable as he confesses his love for her, even though she seems to hold him at arm's length.
The second verse finds Scarlette speaking to the singer in a way that he can't stand. It's not clear exactly what she's saying, but the implication is that she's warning him not to doubt her sincerity. The refrain of the song, "Cross my heart and hope to die, Don't recall the reason why," speaks to the singer's confusion and desperation. He's willing to do anything for Scarlette, even though he doesn't fully understand why. The third verse takes a dark turn as the singer describes Scarlette slamming his head in a door, nearly murdering him. Despite this violence, however, he still seems to be under her spell, as evidenced by the repeated refrain. The final moments of the song are tinged with regret and confusion, as the singer wonders whether his relationship with Scarlette was meaningful or if he was just prey to her whims.
Line by Line Meaning
Scarlette,
The singer addresses Scarlette, the subject of the song.
Did you know that you're the one?
The singer asks if Scarlette is aware that she is the most important person to them.
The one that raised the fucking sun.
The singer suggests that Scarlette is responsible for the very existence of the sun.
I missed the train to wait for you,
The artist was willing to wait for Scarlette, despite losing an opportunity to leave.
Stood all night to make things right
The artist worked all night to repair a damaged relationship with Scarlette.
Cross my heart and hope to die
A formal promise to follow through with something.
Don't recall the reason why
The singer can't remember why they made the promise.
Scarlette, please don't talk that way.
The artist pleads with Scarlette to refrain from negative talk.
I can't stand to hear you say:
The artist expresses their discomfort with Scarlette's words.
'think of me when i'm not here,
Scarlette wants the artist to remember her when she's gone.
Don't doubt me if i'm insincere.'
Scarlette asks the singer to trust her even if she seems untruthful.
My head don't hurt no more,
The artist's physical pain has subsided.
After you slammed it in the door.
Scarlette caused the singer physical harm by slamming a door on their head.
You nearly murdered me!
The singer feels like Scarlette almost killed them.
Left me lying on the floor
Scarlette abandoned the singer while they were injured on the floor.
You know i know you know i know i know you know you know
The artist acknowledges a mutual understanding between them and Scarlette.
This is a lunatic project - this is a lunatic project
The artist describes their feelings towards the relationship as irrational and unstable.
Scarlette, was it meaningless?
The singer asks Scarlette if their relationship meant anything to her.
Scarlette, was i prey?
The singer wonders if Scarlette saw them as vulnerable and took advantage of them.
Did you like the way i looked at you
The artist questions if their admiration for Scarlette was reciprocated.
When you walked away?
Scarlette left the artist, possibly indicating the end of their relationship.
Cross my heart and hope to die
The artist reiterates their promise to follow through with something.
Don't recall the reason why.
The singer still can't remember why they made the promise.
Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@millennial_bug
Unwound were a really special and underrated band imo
@hansdado
classic
@marymarie3263
š
@bentisdale2474
Fantastic
@capnbug
Silly fella