Swing And a Miss

“Swing And a Miss” by Cokie The Clown is a raw and unfiltered narrative about the aftermath of a friend's suicide. The song delves into the emotional numbness and detachment experienced by the narrator, contrasting sharply with the reactions of others around him. The opening lines describe the discovery of the friend's body, highlighting the narrator's inability to feel the same level of distress as those around him. This detachment is further emphasized when the narrator focuses on the practical task of getting the body down, rather than the emotional weight of the situation.

The song continues to explore the events leading up to the suicide, revealing a previous failed attempt that the narrator witnessed. The casual and almost indifferent response to the friend's cry for help underscores a sense of desensitization and perhaps a lack of understanding of the gravity of the situation. The lyrics paint a picture of a group of young people, only 19 years old, who are ill-equipped to handle such a traumatic event. Their coping mechanisms, such as drinking and attending a party, reflect a desperate attempt to escape the harsh reality they are faced with.

The final verses of the song are particularly poignant, as they describe the aftermath of the suicide and the arrival of the friend's parents. The stark imagery of the blood-stained floor and the parents' grief serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of suicide on those left behind. The narrator's admission of their failure to clean up the scene before the parents arrived adds a layer of guilt and shame to the narrative. This song is a stark and unflinching look at the complexities of dealing with suicide, the emotional detachment that can occur, and the lasting scars it leaves on everyone involved.