"Stick Season" by Noah Kahan is a poignant and relatable song about the raw emotions of heartbreak and loss. The lyrics reveal a complex tapestry of thoughts and feelings, likely stemming from a personal experience of a failed relationship. Here's a breakdown of the song's themes and potential background:

Verse 1: The Aftermath and Denial

• "As you promised me that I was more than all the miles combined / You must've had yourself a change of heart like halfway through the drive": This opening paints a picture of a long-distance relationship where promises were made and hope was present. The "change of heart" signifies a sudden and hurtful shift in the relationship.
• "Because your voice trailed off exactly as you passed my exit sign / Kept on drivin' straight and left our future to the right": The imagery of the highway and the "exit sign" underscores the abruptness of the breakup. The narrator feels abandoned, left behind at a crossroads where their future was supposed to be shared.
• "Now I am stuck between my anger and the blame that I can't face": The narrator is grappling with conflicting emotions – anger at the betrayal and guilt over the possibility of their own shortcomings contributing to the breakup.
• "Memories are somethin' even smoking weed does not replace": This line suggests the narrator's attempts to cope with the pain, perhaps through escapism, but acknowledges that the memories remain potent and inescapable.
• "And I am terrified of weather 'cause I see you when it rains": The weather becomes a symbol of the relationship, specifically rain triggering reminders of the lost love.
• "Doc told me to travel, but there's Covid on the planes": This hints at the narrator's desire to escape the pain, but external factors like the pandemic hinder their attempts.

Chorus: The Season of Sticks and Self-Deception

• "And I love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks / And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed": The setting becomes significant. "Stick Season" is a time of dormancy and bareness in Vermont, mirroring the narrator's emotional state. The encounter with the ex's mother highlights the further disconnect and reinforces the feeling of being forgotten.
• "And it's half my fault, but I just like to play the victim": The narrator acknowledges their own role in the relationship's demise, but their tendency to blame the other person suggests an attempt to avoid taking full responsibility.
• "I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas / And I'll dream each night of some version of you that I might not have, but I did not lose": The narrator seeks solace in alcohol and clings to idealized versions of their ex, unable to accept the reality of the loss.
• "Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes / And I'm split in half, but that'll have to do": The imagery of "tire tracks" symbolizes the distance and absence of the ex, while the "one pair of shoes" suggests a lack of closure. The narrator feels incomplete, broken in half, but accepts the situation for now.

Verse 2: Trying to Move On, But Still Stuck

• "So I thought that if I piled something good on all my bad / That I could cancel out the darkness I inherited from Dad": The narrator attempts to combat their negativity by focusing on positive aspects of their life, but the underlying trauma from their family history continues to impact them.
• "No, I am no longer funny 'cause I miss the way you laugh / You once called me 'forever,' now you still can't call me back": This illustrates the loss of joy in the narrator's life due to the absence of their ex. The reminder of past promises and unreturned calls intensifies the pain.

Chorus Repetition: The Painful Reality

• The chorus repeats, emphasizing the ongoing struggle with the breakup and the narrator's inability to move on.

Bridge: Seeking Closure

• "Oh, that'll have to do / My other half was you / I hope this pain's just passing through / But I doubt it": The narrator acknowledges their dependence on their ex and expresses a faint hope for healing, but doubts its immediate arrival.

Chorus: Final Acceptance (or Resignation)

• The chorus repeats once more, highlighting the acceptance of the painful reality of the breakup. The line "And I'm split in half, but that'll have to do" gains a sense of finality.

Overall, "Stick Season" captures the raw and messy emotions that come with heartbreak. It explores the pain of loss, the struggle to move on, and the lingering impact of past relationships. The song resonates with listeners who have experienced similar emotional turmoil and helps normalize the messy and often painful process of healing.