Me And My Husband

The song 'Me And My Husband' portrays the life of a housewife who, despite not being completely happy, remains faithful to her husband. The lyrics begin with a reflection on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of forgetting. The protagonist steals a few moments in the world but knows that eventually, everything she has seen and experienced will disappear with her. This melancholic introduction sets the tone for the narrative of a life dedicated to a relationship that is the anchor of her existence.

In the chorus, the protagonist states that she and her husband are 'doing better'. This phrase, repeated several times, seems to be an attempt at self-affirmation, a way of convincing herself that the choice to remain by his side is the right one. The expression 'So I bet all I have on that' suggests a stubbornness to maintain the relationship, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness. The image of the husband's 'frowning face' indicates a relationship marked by difficulties and tensions, but also by a mutual determination to stay together, even if both are unhappy, especially the wife.

The lyrics also address the protagonist's sense of invisibility and insignificance. She describes herself as ' the idiot with the painted face, in the corner, taking up space', a metaphor for her feeling of being just an adornment in her husband's life. However, when he enters the room, she feels loved, even if only momentarily. This duality between the feeling of being loved and the reality of an unsatisfactory life is at the heart of the song. By assuming the persona of an unhappy suburban housewife, Mitski offers a subtle critique of social expectations about marriage and female happiness, which gives the song an air of irony.