Today's Tomorrow, Tomorrow's Today

The White Buffalo's song "Today's Tomorrow, Tomorrow's Today" delves into the cyclical nature of heartache, self-medication, and the struggle for emotional healing. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of individuals grappling with their pain through alcohol, seeking temporary relief from their emotional turmoil. The phrase "Today's tomorrow, tomorrow's today" encapsulates the repetitive and seemingly endless cycle of trying to escape one's problems, only to find them waiting again the next day.

The song's narrative follows two characters, a woman and the singer, both of whom are trying to numb their pain. The woman is described as taking her medicine in "cap size increments," a metaphor for her gradual descent into intoxication. Her actions reflect a desperate attempt to find solace, but ultimately, she ties herself in knots, indicating the internal conflict and confusion she faces. The singer, on the other hand, finds himself pampering his broken heart with more drinks, likening the sound of streetcars to waves on the shore, suggesting a longing for peace and escape.

The chorus reveals a deeper layer of introspection, where the singer acknowledges the lies he tells himself and others to cope with his pain. The line "Maybe we're better off alone than apart" suggests a contemplation of whether solitude might be more bearable than the pain of a broken relationship. The song concludes with a sense of resignation and a glimmer of hope, as the singer stumbles home, determined to make things right despite the uphill battle. The imagery of staring at bottles with "canceled eyes" and the truth found in the lies of drunks, dogs, and children highlights the search for meaning and direction amidst the chaos of heartache.