Song meaning of Cigarettes out the Window by TV Girl

"Cigarettes out the Window" by TV Girl is a melancholic indie pop song that explores the theme of addiction and the longing for someone who has left. The lyrics depict the narrator's former girlfriend, Liddy, who used to smoke cigarettes when she couldn't sleep. The repetition of the line "Boy now who smokes cigarettes out that window" in the chorus, sung by Frankie Cosmos, emphasizes Liddy's habit and creates a sense of nostalgia.

The first verse describes Liddy's smoking habit and the impact it had on their relationship. The line "But I could still smell it on her raggedy tee" suggests that even though Liddy claimed to quit smoking, the scent lingered on her clothes. This could symbolize her inability to fully let go of her addiction. The lyrics also mention how the narrator could taste the cigarettes on Liddy's lips when they kissed, indicating the intimate connection between them and the presence of her addiction in their shared moments.

In the second verse, the lyrics delve deeper into Liddy's smoking habits. It is revealed that she would flick her cigarette butts out into the street after smoking. This action reflects a sense of carelessness and disregard for the consequences of her addiction. The line "Poor little Liddy, she wishes it was dark, but it's never really dark in LA" suggests that Liddy may have preferred to smoke in the dark to hide her habit, but the bright lights of Los Angeles always exposed her actions. This could symbolize the difficulty of hiding one's addiction in a city that never sleeps.

The outro of the song features a spoken word section by Victor Jory, which adds a touch of theatricality. The lines "You'll find moonlit nights strangely empty because when you call my name through them there'll be no answer" evoke a sense of longing and emptiness. The mention of smoking with the theater and how it enhances the performance suggests that smoking becomes a form of escapism or enhancement for the narrator, possibly to cope with the absence of the person they long for.

Overall, "Cigarettes out the Window" by TV Girl delves into the complexities of addiction and the longing for someone who has left. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Liddy's smoking habit and its impact on the narrator's emotions, creating a bittersweet and introspective atmosphere.