Song Meanings: Mayday Parade - Oh Well, Oh Well

When you're alone, do you think of me?
And my diamond rings thrown out to sea
And when you love, do you love for me?
Like harmony, a never ending dream
He wants to know that she's thinking about him. This is almost a confession that he still thinks about her when he is alone, or that even the small things remind him about their past relationship. He's asking that when she's with another guy, if she imagines him. Perhaps compares the two to find him favorable. A never ending dream...this is real life, and he realizes that that's something he has to live with.
Oh well, oh well
I still hope for the best
Say goodbye and send me off with a kiss farewell
And I promise I'll be just as strong as I can be
Maybe you could get some sleep tonight
This is where they part ways. He still loves her, or else I doubt he'd wish her well. This was expected and he just wants it to end on good terms. The promise is that he won't break down...or at least try not to. He cares about her, and doesn't want her to have to worry herself over it.
So here's your song, it's twisting me
I'd give anything to make you scream
And I'll just smile and make believe I don't feel a thing
That doesn't work for me
This song is the physical evidence that she is still on his mind. It's a constant torment for him, too. Her scream doesn't have to be pain, exactly, or sexual. He just wants to cause a direct reaction from her. But, instead, he tries to go about his normal life...the problem is he can't. He's starting to realize he can't keep his promise.
Oh well, oh well
Guess I'll see you in hell
There's a pretty little picture that's in my head
And I'm starting to dream
Changing colors while I sleep
Maybe I'm just wasting time
Now he just wants to feel better. He knows he's done wrong, and so has she. It gives him comfort to think that they have to suffer together. He's extremely bipolar about his feelings towards her. He knows that she is no good for him, but he loves her.
Sit still and listen to the soundtrack
I'll tell you how I took one straight through the heart
And it's not easy to talk about
So we all scream loud
And that was it,
I had made it clean just across the street with my new wings
So I'll just fly and hope that I remember the good times when it's done
These lines are pretty blunt. He wants to be open about his feelings. He wants her to know just how in bad of shape she left him in. The problem is, he's just not sure how to do that. He's starting to figure out that someday this will all be over. There will be someone else, and she is not worth dwelling over.
Oh well, oh well
I can't live with myself
As I'm climbing in your window to get to your bed
And I'll be what you need
You can call me anything
Just as long as we're still friends
It's finally to the point where he says, "screw it," and that he doesn't care anymore. He'll do anything to be with her, even if they're not together. Obviously, he's giving himself to her physically. If she needs a boy, he'll be that boy. When he says she can call him anything, it can be anything from baby to friend. He just wants to make sure that he is in her life.
Sit still and listen to the soundtrack
I'll tell you how I took one straight through the heart
And it's not easy to talk about
So we all sing
He's starting to realize he's only hurting himself more by doing this...
When she smiles, it's got nothing to do with me
I'm not the one who sings her to sleep
And I've been talking to God
Asking for just a little help with you
But it's hopeless
She has a new man in her life. He is coming to accept that they will never be how they used to be. She's falling in love, and it isn't him. He's no longer her soundtrack. He's been praying, hoping that soon this will all be behind him. It's no good, and he realizes only time can help him now.
It's not the first time, but this one really carved it in
Tell your new friends that they don't know you like I do
It's over
I wanna see you again
I wanna feel it again
Now he has to struggle alone. He's convinced he was perfect for her. No one, not even her friends, can understand her (especially the small things) better than he can. It hurts, but the fight is over. He really wants her, but now it's more of a thought than it is an action.
Oh, it's not the first time, but this one really carved it in
Tell your new friends that no one knows you like I do
It's over
I wanna see you again
I wanna feel it again
Your heart will be broken more than once in life, he knows this. But this was the real thing to him, bigger and harder than the rest. Now she's just a memory, an old acquaintance, that his mind is stuck with.
I'll keep you warm, safe in my arms
Till heaven calls, keep holding on
He's holding onto her memory, the last piece he has of her. Everything about her is beautiful to him, and he refuses to let that go. So, until his last breath, he'll never let go of her.
Oh Well, Oh Well
This is how I interpretted the song, your's may be different. That's the great thing about music! :)