Separate And Ever Deadly

The Last Shadow Puppets' song 'Separate And Ever Deadly' delves into the emotional turmoil and haunting presence of a past relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a once vibrant connection that has now turned cold and distant. The opening lines reflect a stark contrast between the past and present, where the streets that once seemed welcoming now feel hostile and uninviting. This shift symbolizes the emotional desolation the narrator feels after the relationship's end.

The song uses powerful metaphors to convey the lingering impact of the lost love. The 'unfamiliar grip on an unfamiliar handkerchief' attending to tears signifies the presence of someone new in the ex-lover's life, a presence that the narrator finds hard to ignore. The recurring phrase 'won't let go' emphasizes the relentless grip of these memories and emotions, choking the narrator and preventing them from moving on. The imagery of being a 'ghost in the wrong coat' further illustrates the sense of displacement and the struggle to find one's identity after the breakup.

The narrative also introduces a 'handsome maverick,' a figure representing the new lover who has seemingly replaced the narrator. This character is depicted as a heroic figure, painting 'a gushing sunset' and defending the ex-lover from 'angry panthers,' which could symbolize the challenges and adversities they faced. The narrator's plea to be saved from the 'secateurs'—a tool for cutting—suggests a desperate desire to avoid being pruned away or forgotten. The song encapsulates the pain of seeing a former lover move on and the suffocating grip of unresolved emotions that refuse to fade away.