Open Car

Porcupine Tree's song 'Open Car' delves into the complexities of a tumultuous and forbidden relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a passionate yet destructive affair, where the protagonist is deeply entangled in emotions that are both exhilarating and painful. The opening lines, 'Nothing like this felt in her kiss / Cannot resist her fell for her charm,' set the stage for a love that is irresistible but fraught with inner conflict. The protagonist is captivated by the woman's allure, yet there's an underlying sense of guilt and sin, as indicated by the line, 'Here is the sin something to lie about.'

The song's narrative progresses to reveal the darker aspects of the relationship. The lines 'Feeling like dirt feeling like you don't care / We get a room and in the gloom / She lights a cigarette clothes on the bed' suggest a sense of emptiness and disconnection despite the physical intimacy. The protagonist's internal struggle is further highlighted by the recurring line, 'I'm getting feelings I'm hiding too well,' indicating a suppression of true emotions and a facade of indifference. The metaphor 'Bury the heart shaped shell' symbolizes the protagonist's attempt to conceal their vulnerability and emotional turmoil.

The imagery of 'Hair blown in an open car' and 'Summer dress slips down her arm' evokes a sense of fleeting freedom and momentary escape from reality. However, the repeated question 'Ok what's next? After the sex / What do we now?' underscores the uncertainty and lack of direction in the relationship. The protagonist's realization that 'Being with you is hell' encapsulates the paradox of finding both heaven and hell in the same person. Ultimately, 'Open Car' is a poignant exploration of the highs and lows of a forbidden love, marked by passion, guilt, and the inevitable heartache that follows.