Balsam Fir

Gigi Perez's song 'Balsam Fir' is a poignant exploration of longing, loss, and the lingering presence of a past love. The song opens with the protagonist buying a Balsam Fir, a tree often associated with Christmas and warmth, yet here it symbolizes a connection to a lost love. The act of driving around to find the perfect tree, only to be physically overwhelmed, mirrors the emotional exhaustion of trying to hold onto memories that are slipping away. The repeated questioning of why everything is green instead of blue suggests a desire for change or escape from the constant reminders of the past relationship.

The lyrics delve deeper into the protagonist's attempts to hold onto the past, such as buying the ex-lover's shampoo to capture their scent. This act, while seemingly strange, highlights the depth of their yearning and the lengths they will go to feel close to the person they miss. The chorus, with its simple 'Oh' repetitions, conveys a sense of helplessness and resignation, as if words fail to capture the complexity of their emotions.

In the latter part of the song, the protagonist finds themselves at St. Mark's, a place that might hold significance in their relationship. Watching dogs in the park, they reflect on the proximity of their ex-lover, who is only a few blocks away. Despite the closeness, they recognize that seeing them would not be wise, indicating a struggle between the desire for reunion and the need for self-preservation. The song's narrative captures the bittersweet nature of moving on, where memories are both a source of comfort and pain, and the green of the Balsam Fir becomes a symbol of enduring love and the difficulty of letting go.