Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “I Guess Not” by Joie De Vivre
“I Guess Not” by Joie De Vivre examines the confusion felt when a relationship has come to an end. The narrator expresses a sense of intense sadness, as if they did not expect things to end the way they did. The chorus repeats the title phrase, “I guess not”, suggesting the realization that in spite of any efforts, things can’t be changed.
The song explores the sorrow that comes with saying goodbye as the narrator acknowledges that they can’t make the other person stay no matter how much they might want to. There’s a sense of resignation in the suggestion that if the other person wants to go, it’s too late to put a stop to it. The narrator laments that despite all the time spent in the relationship, they can’t make the other person feel the same. This line is repeated in the verse and chorus emphasizing that they can’t reverse the fated ending no matter what they do.
The bridge features a spoken interlude in which the narrator relays the phone conversation that drove the relationship to an end. They express frustration over the fact that their love could not be communicated properly. This section further emphasizes the sense of sadness over an ending that couldn’t be prevented.
In the end, “I Guess Not” conveys the reality of a failed relationship. The narrator is unable to make the other person understand their emotions, ultimately leading to a goodbye that could not be avoided. This song serves as a powerful reminder of the ephemeral nature of love, and that sometimes there’s nothing that can be done to keep it alive.