Pasture Child

Dominic Fike's 'Pasture Child' is a poignant exploration of nostalgia and the passage of time, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing digital world. The song tells the story of a girl who grew up in a simpler, more analog era, described as 'half Dakota, half Louisiana pasture child.' This imagery evokes a sense of rural innocence and simplicity, where life was slower and more connected to nature. The mention of 'skirts went past her ankles' and 'no TV on after nine' further emphasizes a time when life was less influenced by technology and more by traditional values and routines.

As the song progresses, the girl grows up and becomes an 'all-American mastermind,' a phrase that suggests she has adapted to the modern world and perhaps achieved significant success. However, the narrator feels a sense of loss and disconnection, symbolized by the line 'I wasn't in it' referring to a book she wrote. This could imply that despite her achievements, the personal connection they once shared has faded. The recurring theme of 'digital, digital, digital' serves as a metaphor for this disconnection, highlighting how the digital age has changed the way we interact and remember our past.

The song's chorus, with its repetitive 'ohh' sounds, evokes a sense of longing and melancholy. The narrator's attempts to 'pretend to hold her against me' signify a yearning to recapture the intimacy and simplicity of their earlier relationship. The contrast between the analog past and the digital present is stark, and Fike uses this to underscore the emotional distance that technology can create. 'Pasture Child' is a reflective piece that invites listeners to consider how the digital age has transformed our relationships and memories, often leaving us yearning for a time 'way back before we went digital.'