The Summer
Citizen
The Lingering Pain of Broken Promises in 'The Summer' by Citizen
Citizen's song 'The Summer' delves into the emotional turmoil and lingering pain that follows a broken relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of betrayal and the struggle to move on. The narrator watches someone they care about 'burn' and 'run,' feeling the sting of their words and actions. This imagery suggests a deep sense of loss and confusion, as the person they once knew seems to have transformed into someone unrecognizable. The repeated line 'I don't want to know' underscores the narrator's desire to avoid facing the painful reality of the situation.
The song's chorus highlights the broken promises and the sense of abandonment felt by the narrator. The line 'Why'd you wait for the summer to chew and spit me out?' suggests a seasonal metaphor, where summer represents a time of warmth and growth, but instead, it becomes a period of rejection and emotional turmoil. This contrast between expectation and reality amplifies the sense of betrayal. The narrator's impatience and the acknowledgment of 'the same mistakes waiting to be made' indicate a cycle of hope and disappointment that they are trapped in.
Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of seeing through the facade of the other person. The narrator wishes they could 'write you off' and 'see you right through,' indicating a desire to move past the hurt and see the situation clearly. However, the emotional attachment and the impact of the broken promises make it difficult to let go. The song captures the complexity of dealing with a broken heart, where the pain is not just about the loss of a person but also the shattering of trust and the struggle to find closure.