Strawberry Wine

Noah Kahan's 'Strawberry Wine' is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the bittersweet nature of memories. The song opens with a conversation between two people, where the speaker asks their partner to speak without words, suggesting a deep, unspoken connection. The imagery of lighting a cigarette and watching it burn symbolizes the fleeting nature of moments and relationships. The mention of feeling cursed adds a layer of melancholy, hinting at a sense of doom or inevitability in their love story.

The chorus, with its repeated lines about burying bones in plywood, evokes a sense of finality and burial of the past. This metaphor suggests that the relationship has ended, and the speaker is trying to move on, even though they are still haunted by memories. The reference to 'love is fast asleep on a dirt road' paints a picture of a simpler, more innocent time, now lost. The strawberry wine symbolizes the sweetness of past moments, now tinged with the sadness of knowing they will never return.

Kahan's lyrics delve into the complexities of love, describing it as something that can make a person soft and sentimental, yet also something that can be elusive and difficult to hold onto. The metaphor of 'empty space' and 'formless shape' highlights the idea of two people who could fit perfectly together in theory, but in reality, love often leaves little room for error. The song captures the essence of longing and the struggle to reconcile with the past, making it a deeply emotional and relatable piece.