Fine

Noah Kahan's song 'Fine' is a poignant exploration of self-acceptance and resilience in the face of life's challenges. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who feels out of place and struggles with self-doubt, yet finds solace in their own mind. The metaphors of being a 'sailor swimming backwards' and a 'fish out in the sea' suggest a sense of disorientation and not fitting in, while the line 'I'm just a preacher in the graveyard' conveys a feeling of preaching to the wrong audience or being misunderstood. Despite these feelings, the narrator finds a home within their own thoughts, indicating a journey towards self-acceptance.

The chorus, 'This is for all those dreams I believed in, this is for all those doubts in my mind,' highlights the internal conflict between aspirations and insecurities. The phrase 'wild wild world' underscores the unpredictability and chaos of life, yet the narrator's determination to survive and thrive is evident. The repetition of 'I'll be just fine' serves as a mantra of resilience, reinforcing the idea that despite external and internal struggles, the narrator will persevere.

Kahan also touches on themes of failure and pain, expressing a longing for the 'permanence of failure' and the 'honesty of pain.' This suggests a preference for the clarity that comes with failure and pain over the ambiguity of success and happiness. The song ultimately conveys a message of self-reliance and defiance against those who doubt or misunderstand the narrator. By severing ties with anger and embracing their own path, the narrator asserts their right to define their own worth and destiny in a tumultuous world.