Never Love An Anchor

The Crane Wives' song 'Never Love An Anchor' delves deep into the complexities of love, self-awareness, and the painful necessity of letting go. The lyrics paint a poignant picture of a person who recognizes their own limitations and the potential harm they could cause to someone they care about. The metaphor of a ship and an anchor is central to the song, symbolizing the incompatibility between the narrator and their loved one. The ship, representing freedom and movement, cannot be tethered to an anchor without being held back, just as the narrator feels they cannot hold onto their loved one without causing them harm.

The song's introspective nature is evident in lines like 'I am selfish, I am broken, I am cruel,' where the narrator acknowledges their flaws and the reasons behind their actions. This self-awareness is coupled with a sense of guilt and regret, as they reflect on the love they could not fully give. The repeated imagery of hands that are 'clumsy, not clever' and unable to 'hold you gently' underscores the narrator's feelings of inadequacy and the internal struggle between their desire to love and their fear of causing pain.

'Never Love An Anchor' also touches on the theme of unfulfilled love and the lingering questions that remain after a relationship ends. The narrator wonders if their loved one ever thinks about them and the reasons behind their actions. This sense of unresolved emotions and the haunting 'what-ifs' add a layer of melancholy to the song, making it a deeply emotional and relatable exploration of love, loss, and the difficult choices we sometimes have to make to protect those we care about.