Album: What We Saw From The Cheap Seats (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This sparse piano ballad is a straightforward breakup song, a rarity for Spektor, who is better known for her stream of conscious lyrical content. Speaking with American Songwriter magazine, producer Mike Elizondo, called it, "one of the most beautiful vocals I've ever been a part of capturing. It really felt like she was laying her heart out there. She was coming clean with how she's feeling in that particular moment. It's pretty special when you can get a performer like her to pull that off."
  • The intimate video was directed by Margo Weathers, and is a combination of animation and live action. It uses handmade paper collages designed by Bic Owen, which adorn Spektors' costumes as she sings to camera. They were animated in stop motion by The Academy in Seattle.

Comments: 2

  • Vetriano from Nyprofound sadness and loss in the lyrics, feels like the partner has passed away. You can read the lyrics or listen to the song that way- think of a long, loving marriage where a spouse died and the survivor does not want to move on.
  • Ma Steel from PaI feel like this song is about a love that died. It just resonates with that kind of loss… “you were a guest here…” on earth.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.