Sister

Andrew Belle's song 'Sister' is a poignant exploration of family dynamics, memory, and the haunting presence of past traumas. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a sibling relationship marked by both fond memories and deep-seated pain. The opening lines, 'Sister I remember / Mother kept happy when she could,' set the stage for a reflective journey through childhood, where the warmth of family life is juxtaposed with the coldness of December, symbolizing the emotional chill that often pervaded their home.

The metaphor of the sister as a feather, 'never land where we thought you would,' suggests a sense of unpredictability and fragility. This imagery conveys the idea that the sister was elusive, perhaps struggling with her own battles that kept her from finding stability. The repeated question, 'So tell me what happens / When the waves break / And you’re surrounded,' hints at moments of crisis and the overwhelming nature of these experiences. The mention of someone trying to 'kill you / And you allow it' could be interpreted as a metaphor for self-destructive behavior or abusive relationships that the sister endured.

The second verse delves deeper into the memories, with 'the morning light on evergreen' evoking a sense of fleeting beauty and the passage of time. The line 'What seemed like forever / Was just my mind escaping me' reflects the narrator's realization that their perception of time and events was distorted by their emotional state. The imagery of 'imitation leather' and 'the smell of blood left on the seat' introduces a darker, more visceral element, suggesting violence and the scars it leaves behind. The refrain 'I surround you / I never leave my beloved / I’ve found you' could be interpreted as the lingering presence of trauma or the inescapable bond of family, both protective and suffocating.

'Sister' is a deeply emotional song that captures the complexities of familial relationships and the lasting impact of childhood experiences. It speaks to the ways in which we carry our past with us, for better or worse, and the enduring connections that shape our identities.