Out of the songs I’ve written, Clementine has to be one of my favorites! It’s about ruining yourself for someone else or letting someone you love treat you poorly. The first line alludes to this, as drinking turpentine would likely kill you, but I would willingly drink it as if it were cherry wine. While this isn’t literal, it symbolizes how I prioritized someone else’s wants/needs over my own. The verses for this song are a bit more lighthearted and they describe “Clementine” as a dichotomy: gentle yet un-pure and an inflictor of pain. Clementine treated me like a dog (slept on her dirty floor) but I still missed her when she left. Clementine isn’t one singular person; she’s based on several people in my life. She’s a combination of both their good sides and bad sides. My favorite part of this song is the outro (2:41-end). Lyrically, it’s the most emotional part of the song, describing sadness so severe that I fell asleep crying in the bathroom. Musically, it’s a slow but intense way to end the song.
lyrics
All for you
Turpentine, like cherry wine
See through you
Clementine, all the time
Clementine, so eager
Always wanting more
Couldn’t really see
What you ever saw in her
Clementine, so perfect
How I do adore your summer skin
Was it ever pure?
I gave you all I had
But I guess that’s too bad
All for you
Turpentine, like cherry wine
See through you
Clementine, all the time
Clementine so gentle
But you know it hurts
Wouldn’t wanna be sleeping on
Your dirty floor
Clementine, so fragile
But I’m not like her
Dancing in the mirror
Are you really sure?
This isn’t what we planned
Life with her must be bland
All for you
Turpentine, like cherry wine
See through you
Clementine, all the time
I never should’ve kissed you
Falling asleep in the bathroom
This space feels so far
I hope you remember me
The way I used to be
Summer has come and gone