Lively
Waxahatchee Lyrics

Doctors and naive love
The singer is referring to a past relationship that involved idealism and perhaps some level of naivety. The mention of doctors could suggest that this relationship had some form of medical or mental health issues.

Silver spoons over fire
The use of contrasting elements (silver spoons and fire) suggests a tension or conflict. It could imply that one or both partners in the relationship were privileged but also prone to emotional outbursts.

You tell a lazy lie
One partner has been caught in a lie that was not well thought-out or convincing.

And I tell them you're a liar
The other partner is trying to set the record straight and make sure others know about the lie.

And we sit in the dark
This could represent the general sense of uncertainty and insecurity in the relationship, as the two partners are not in a good place emotionally or mentally.

Needles and tubes in your arm
This line could suggest a medical issue or addiction that one of the partners is dealing with.

I see you in dark glasses
The singer is having a hard time looking at their partner directly. The glasses could represent both an emotional barrier and an attempt to hide their true feelings.

Writers and old movie stars
The artist is reminiscing about the past and mentioning cultural figures that they both enjoyed. This could be a way of trying to connect with their partner or find common ground.

And you'd die before you look me in the eye
The partner is avoiding direct eye contact, either out of guilt or simply due to emotional distance.

I had a dream last night
The artist is changing the subject, perhaps because they feel drained or simply cannot handle the confrontation anymore.

We had hit separate bottoms
Both partners are experiencing a low point, but the singer suggests that they are not quite on the same level emotionally or mentally.

You yell right in my face
The tension between the two partners reaches a boiling point, and one of them resorts to yelling or some form of verbal aggression.

And I poison myself numb
The singer is suggesting that they are hurting themselves more than the partner is, as a way of coping or dealing with the pain.

And you will lick your wounds
The partner will also experience some level of pain or discomfort, but the singer suggests that they may not show it outwardly or handle it as well.

In only the most crowded room
The partner is described as being able to hide their true emotions or put on a brave face even in difficult or public situations.

I'm longing for my youth
The artist is feeling nostalgic and perhaps regretful about the past, perhaps wishing for a time when the relationship was more innocent or enjoyable.

You were lively then, too
The artist is acknowledging that their partner had some positive qualities in the past and that things were not always so difficult between them.

And you lie when the truth is hovering vast as the dark and grey sky
The partner is still avoiding or denying the truth, even when it seems obvious or all-encompassing. The imagery of the dark and grey sky could suggest a sense of hopelessness or uncertainty.

We were crowded and blue
The relationship seemed to involve both intense emotions and a sense of being suffocated or overwhelmed.

You were lively then, too
Despite the difficult emotions and situations, the artist still remembers a time when their partner had a positive impact on their life and was able to lift their spirits.