The Meaning Behind “Willing and Able” by Noah Kahan and the Consequences of Unresolved Disputes

“Willing And Able” finds Noah Kahan navigating a tumultuous relationship. Over gently plucked chords, Kahan’s folk lament shows the stubborn endurance of childhood trauma, addiction, and the consequences of unresolved disputes.

I Stole the Last Beer

The song opens with a fight. The narrator drives home, leaving the argument unresolved. And taking the last beer from the fridge isn’t just uncouth; it foreshadows a deeper problem between the two.

Oh, when my weight left the room, did you take a deep breath?
I stole a beer, drove home; there was only one left.
And I wrestle the feeling you’re still thinking about that,
Wide awake in your room, just seething about that.

When Noah Kahan leaves, he’s the jerk. But if he stays, then the couple drinks and fights. They relive childhood traumas. And those old ghosts resurface and continue to haunt and ruin future relationships.

When I make my flight, I’m the devil,
But when I stay the night, then we drink.
And we stay up and fight ’bout the childhood lie,
That we both had the courage to leave.

The chorus finds Kahan willing to take on the fight. But what’s obvious here is the couple even fights about fighting. The entire affair appears fueled by animosity and booze.

I’m willing and able,
If you wanna kick this rock around.
If you’ve got a bone to pick with me,
If you’ve got a flag, plant it in the ground.
Oh, I’ll stay here till morning,
Oh, we can fight like we used to fight.
Bony-limbed, red-faced, and teary-eyed,
Under the glow of the TV light.

If I Call You Out

“If I call you out, I’m an a**hole,” he sings. But Kahan says he tells the truth when he drinks. While drinking can relax shyness. It also emboldens. And depending on the person, that can be dicey and cruel.

In the bridge, Kahan wishes for a lazy day in the yard with his partner. He hopes for a peaceful relationship. He’s open to a détente. But it takes two to tangle, and so does a truce.

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