Ketchum, ID

Boygenius, the indie rock supergroup composed of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, delivers a poignant exploration of transience and emotional disconnection in their song 'Ketchum, ID.' The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a life in perpetual motion, where the protagonist finds themselves back in a college town, walking around aimlessly as the rain pours down. The imagery of 'double lines' and 'two yellow tightropes' suggests a sense of direction and purpose, yet the protagonist feels like they are merely going through the motions, making 'good time' but not truly arriving anywhere meaningful.

The recurring refrain, 'I am never anywhere, anywhere I go,' encapsulates the core theme of the song: a profound sense of rootlessness and disconnection. This feeling is further emphasized by the lines, 'When I'm home I'm never there, long enough to know,' indicating that even when the protagonist is physically present, they are emotionally and mentally absent. The song delves into the paradox of being in love and feeling alone, as the protagonist admits that 'being in love is the same thing as being alone,' highlighting the isolating nature of their existence.

The conversation in the lyrics, 'You say: How are you, I say: I don't know,' and the suggestion to 'dissolve the band, move to Idaho,' reflect a desire to escape and start anew, yet the protagonist remains trapped in their cycle of disconnection. The song concludes with the haunting repetition of the refrain, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of melancholy and unresolved longing. 'Ketchum, ID' is a powerful meditation on the loneliness that can accompany a life of constant movement and the struggle to find a sense of belonging and home.