Waxahatchee, named after Waxahatchee Creek in Alabama where Crutchfield grew up, began in 2010 during the breakup of P.S. Eliot. Crutchfield released her first music as Waxahatchee as a split cassette with Chris Clavin on Plan-It-X Records. Her bedroom-recorded debut album, American Weekend, was released on Don Giovanni Records in 2012.
On June 11, 2012 "Be Good" was the song of the day on NPR as well as one of the best 50 songs of 2012. Her debut album, "American Weekend," was named a top album of 2012 by Dusted magazine.
Subsequent albums include Cerulean Salt (2013), Ivy Tripp (2015), Out in the Storm (2017), Saint Cloud (2020), and the upcoming Tigers Blood (out March 22, 2024)
air
Waxahatchee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My spotless exit
So we walked two-by-two
With tedious intent
When I am gone, at least I won't be thinking
I left you out like a carton of milk
You were quick to query me
To relay something warm
To break off a good piece
But you won't be, you won't be
And you were patiently giving me every answer as I roamed free
It fogged up again
My liar's remorse
We stand hand-in-hand
Idle in our course
When we are moving, we just pretend to be strangers lamenting a means to an end
And you were patiently giving me everything that I will never need
The lyrics of Waxahatchee's song "Air" depict a scene of internal turmoil and emotional disconnection between two people. The first verse sets a somber tone with the image of something "fogging up" – possibly referring to a car window or glasses – and the singer's inability to leave without blemishing their perfect exit. This mundane detail takes on a symbolic weight, suggesting that the singer's attempt to navigate a difficult situation with grace and dignity is doomed to fail. The second line, "My spotless exit," underscores this point and foreshadows the singer's eventual departure. As they walk "two-by-two" with their companion, there is a palpable sense of unease and awkwardness, conveyed through the phrase "tedious intent." It seems that both parties are going through the motions of a ritual – perhaps a breakup or a farewell – without really connecting or engaging with each other.
The second verse further explores the singer's conflicted feelings and their struggle to communicate with their partner. The image of leaving someone "out like a carton of milk" suggests neglect or disregard, and the partner's "quick query" implies that they are hurt or confused by this behavior. Yet the singer admits that they still want their partner, and perhaps even crave their warmth and support ("To relay something warm / To break off a good piece"). The repetition of "you won't be, you won't be" suggests resignation, as if the singer has accepted that their desires will go unfulfilled. The final line of the verse, "And you were patiently giving me every answer as I roamed free," is poignant in its irony. The partner is willing to give the singer everything they need, yet the singer cannot or will not accept it.
The third verse brings the song full circle, returning to the "fog" motif and the sense of stasis and regret that permeate the entire song. The reference to "liar's remorse" suggests that the singer has not been entirely truthful with their partner or themselves, and that they feel guilty about it. The image of standing "hand-in-hand" but "idle in our course" reinforces the sense of a relationship that has lost its way, or perhaps was never fully realized in the first place. The final lines, "And you were patiently giving me everything that I will never need," provide a devastating insight into the singer's mindset. They are aware that their partner is trying to help them, and that they are refusing that help out of some misplaced sense of pride or fear. The song ends on this bleak note, with no resolution or closure in sight.
Line by Line Meaning
It fogged up again
The singer's vision has been obscured once more by the fog, a recurring symbol for confusion and disorientation.
My spotless exit
The singer left without any mess or drama, giving the impression of a clean break from a relationship or situation.
So we walked two-by-two
The singer and someone else, perhaps a former lover, are walking side by side but not holding hands or showing signs of intimacy.
With tedious intent
The walking feels forced or awkward, indicating that the relationship may have ended badly and there are lingering tensions or regrets between the two.
When I am gone, at least I won't be thinking
The artist suggests that they will be able to detach themselves emotionally from the past and move on cleanly, without dwelling on what could have been.
I left you out like a carton of milk
The singer neglected their partner or their feelings, leaving them to rot like unused perishables.
You were quick to query me
The partner was prompt to seek answers or clarification about the situation, showing they were invested and cared enough to seek closure.
But I wanted you still
The artist admits to still having feelings for the partner but is too proud or stubborn to admit it directly.
To relay something warm
The artist wants to express a warm sentiment or feeling to the partner but cannot find the right words or actions to do so.
To break off a good piece
The artist wants to salvage something good or valuable from the relationship, even if it means breaking away from it as a whole.
But you won't be, you won't be
The partner will not reciprocate, relent or forgive the singer, resulting in a complete estrangement.
And you were patiently giving me every answer as I roamed free
The partner was patient and understanding as the artist explored their options or fulfilled their desires, even though it may have been hurtful or damaging to the relationship.
My liar's remorse
The singer regrets lying or concealing the truth, indicating that they may have contributed to the collapse of the relationship or acted selfishly.
We stand hand-in-hand
The singer and the partner are now physically connected, but still lack emotional connection and understanding.
Idle in our course
The relationship is directionless and unproductive, with both parties unsure of where they stand or what they want.
When we are moving, we just pretend to be strangers lamenting a means to an end
The only time the relationship moves forward or changes is when it ends or is about to end, at which point the two parties realize they are strangers or enemies rather than lovers.
And you were patiently giving me everything that I will never need
The partner was generous and giving, but the artist realized too late that they did not need or appreciate what was being given to them.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Kathryn Crutchfield, Keith Spencer, Kyle Gilbride
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ItzJammyZzJ
It fogged up again
My spotless exit
So we walked two-by-two
A tedious ascent
When I am gone, at least I won't be thinking
I left you out like a carton of milk
You were quick to query me
But I wanted you still
To relay something warm
To break off a good piece
But you won't be, you won't be
You were patiently giving me every answer as I roamed free
It fogged up again
My liar's remorse
We stand hand-in-hand
Idle in our course
When we are moving, we just pretend to be strangers lamenting a means to an end
You were patiently giving me everything that I will never need
@ItzJammyZzJ
It fogged up again
My spotless exit
So we walked two-by-two
A tedious ascent
When I am gone, at least I won't be thinking
I left you out like a carton of milk
You were quick to query me
But I wanted you still
To relay something warm
To break off a good piece
But you won't be, you won't be
You were patiently giving me every answer as I roamed free
It fogged up again
My liar's remorse
We stand hand-in-hand
Idle in our course
When we are moving, we just pretend to be strangers lamenting a means to an end
You were patiently giving me everything that I will never need
@mistybowable
One of the best song writers ever. Just beautiful all around ♡
@TheGreendub
Amazing ❤
@silversnail1413
She just keeps getting better and better. Can't wait for the new album.
@pnkpricess059
It's refreshing to discover new music that actually isn't generic and doesn't suck. Love this song!
@M_Dutch97
Just listen to Vermillion City from Pokémon Red/Blue
@cdubsoptional7849
Saw them live last week (for the second time), and they were amazing!!!
@rodlinvon-hugenstine5142
I love your voice lady!
@JedzLigsay
Loving this song
@riboflavinz
Fantastic song! I listen to it every morning when I get to work. I'm going to buy the album when I get home tonight.