The Flowers
spektor regina Lyrics

"The Flowers" by Regina Spektor is a song that is open to interpretation. It is clear from the lyrics that the flowers in the song are symbolic of something, perhaps love or memories. The opening line - "The flowers you gave me are rotting" suggest that the relationship has ended and whatever the flowers represent is no longer fresh and alive. However, the singer refuses to throw them away, indicating an attachment to the memories or emotions associated with them.

The second and third lines - "And still I refuse to throw them away/ Some of the bulbs never opened quite fully" suggest a sense of hopefulness or expectation of a possible revival or rekindling of whatever the representation of the flowers may be. This idea is further emphasized in the line "They might so I'm waiting and staying awake."

In the second verse, the singer seems to be battling with her emotions or memories, as indicated in the line "The papers around me are piling and twisting/ Regina the paperback mummy." The line "I'm taking the knife to the books that I own/ And I'm chopping and chopping and boiling soup from stone" can be interpreted as her trying to rid herself of her emotions by getting rid of her possessions, but still holding onto the memories.

The chorus repeats the idea that she is allowed to keep things she has loved, but will never know if she lets go and falls asleep. This suggests that she is afraid of forgetting the memories, even if they are painful.

Overall, "The Flowers" is a song that explores the complexity of love, memories and the struggle of holding on or letting go.