Stick Season

Noah Kahan's 'Stick Season' is a poignant reflection on heartbreak and the struggle to move on. The song's title refers to the transitional period in Vermont, Kahan's home state, between the colorful fall and the snowy winter, when the trees are bare and the landscape appears stark. This 'season of the sticks' serves as a metaphor for the emotional barrenness the singer feels after a breakup. The lyrics convey a sense of abandonment, as the singer's partner seems to have had a change of heart and left him behind, both literally and figuratively.

The song delves into the singer's internal conflict, caught between anger and self-blame, as he grapples with the loss of a relationship. He tries to cope with his pain through various means, such as substance use and escapism, but finds that nothing can truly replace the memories of his lost love. The mention of COVID-19 adds a contemporary layer to the song, highlighting the additional challenges of seeking solace through travel during a pandemic. Kahan's lyrics are introspective, acknowledging his own role in the relationship's demise and his tendency to play the victim.

The recurring theme of dreaming about 'some version' of the person he lost suggests a yearning for what could have been, rather than what was. The imagery of 'tire tracks and one pair of shoes' symbolizes the singer's feeling of being left alone on a journey they were supposed to take together. The song ends with a reluctant acceptance of the situation, as the singer admits that being 'split in half' by the breakup will 'have to do.' Kahan's heartfelt storytelling, combined with the melancholic melody, captures the essence of trying to heal from a deep emotional wound.