“Scott Street” is a song by Phoebe Bridgers. It is the fifth track on her debut album, “Stranger in the Alps.”
The song reflects on a failed relationship and delves into the lingering emotions and nostalgia tied to past connections. The song’s title references a real location in Los Angeles, adding a personal touch to the narrative.
In this analysis, we will dissect the lyrics of “Scott Street” and explore the meaning behind its evocative words.
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“Scott Street” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Walking Scott Street, feeling like a stranger
With an open heart, open container
I’ve got a stack of mail and a tall can
It’s a shower beer, it’s a payment plan
There’s helicopters over my head
Every night when I go to bed
Spending money and I earned it
When I’m lonely, that’s when I’ll burn it
The verse starts by mentioning “Scott Street,” which is the main setting of the song. The singer is walking down this once-familiar street after a long time and now feels like a stranger.
In the following line, “With an open heart, open container,” the singer contrasts having an “open heart” with carrying an “open container.” This suggests that the singer’s heart is open to memories from her past relationships, and she uses alcohol as a coping mechanism.
When she sings, “I’ve got a stack of mail and a tall can,” it could symbolize that she’s neglecting responsibilities or avoiding dealing with certain issues. The “tall can” likely refers to a large beer can, implying that she’s indulging in alcohol.
The line “It’s a shower beer, it’s a payment plan” hints at a routine or habit involving drinking. “Shower beer” suggests that the singer might be using alcohol even during mundane activities like taking a shower. The mention of a “payment plan” could allude to financial difficulties or obligations.
She continues to sing, “There’s helicopters over my head/Every night when I go to bed.” The presence of helicopters suggests she’s living in a noisy and perhaps chaotic urban environment, which further disturbs her emotions, making it difficult for her to find tranquility.
The final lines, “Spending money and I earned it/When I’m lonely, that’s when I’ll burn it,” suggest that the singer is splurging her hard-earned money, possibly on shopping, to cope with her grief. Emotional spending usually happens when we want to avoid addressing difficult emotions.
[Chorus]
Do you feel ashamed
When you hear my name?
In this chorus, the singer poses a question to someone, possibly her ex-boyfriend. She sings, “Do you feel ashamed/When you hear my name?” This question suggests that he might have hurt the singer before in their past relationship.
[Verse 2]
I asked you, “How is your sister?
I heard she got her degree”
And I said, “That makes me feel old”
You said, “What does that make me?”
I asked you, “How is playing drums?”
Said, “It’s too much shit to carry”
“And what about the band?”
You said, “They’re all gettin’ married”
In Verse 2, the singer begins with the line “I asked you, ‘How is your sister? I heard she got her degree.'” This shows her interest in her ex-boyfriend’s life and family. It seems that she’s talking to him and trying to maintain a connection.
In the following line, “And I said, ‘That makes me feel old,'” the singer is lamenting the passage of time. Perhaps when she was still with him, his sister was just a little girl.
However, her ex-boyfriend didn’t understand her nostalgic feelings and only inquired about what the singer’s reaction implies. From the line “You said, ‘What does that make me?'” we can see that they’re disconnected.
The singer shifts the conversation to inquire about the other person’s involvement in playing the drums. She sings, “I asked you, ‘How is playing drums?’ You said, ‘It’s too much shit to carry.'”
Continuing the conversation, the singer asks about the other person’s band. When her ex-boyfriend replies that they’re all married, it might have dealt a blow to the singer because they’re the only pair who has broken up in their social circle.
[Outro]
Anyway, don’t be a stranger (Ooh, ooh)
Anyway, don’t be a stranger (Ooh, ooh)
Don’t be a stranger (Ooh, ooh)
In the Outro, the singer repeats a simple and heartfelt message: “Anyway, don’t be a stranger.” This line is an expression of the singer’s desire for continued connection and communication. She’s asking her ex-boyfriend not to become distant or disconnected from her, possibly because she’s still loving him.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Scott Street”
“Scott Street” by Phoebe Bridgers is a deep, reflective song that looks back on the past. Phoebe co-wrote it with Marshall Vore, her former boyfriend, and current bandmate.
While Bridgers initially mentioned that it’s about their relationship, a later interview with Song Exploder revealed that the song’s primary focus is another relationship that Vore experienced—one characterized as “manipulative.”
That being said, the song’s title, “Scott Street,” refers to a real place in Los Angeles, near a music practice studio called Bedrock L.A. It held special meaning for Phoebe and Marshall during their relationship.
In the song, the singer reminisces about a past relationship that didn’t work out. It explores the lingering feelings that remain after such connections end. While she acknowledges her ex-boyfriend’s mistakes, she can’t forget him.
Their later reunion as friends and inquiries about recent life evoke a sense of nostalgia about their ended relationship. It seems like everyone they know is moving forward in life, getting married and finding happiness, while they, as a couple, have gone their separate ways, leaving the singer with emotional scars.
Despite this, she still hopes to maintain a connection with her ex-boyfriend. That’s the nature of love—we often miss someone we once loved, even if they’ve hurt us.
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