Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: indie-pop
Song Meaning of “Jonathan” by Fiona Apple
“Jonathan” by Fiona Apple tells the story of a deeply personal relationship between two characters, most likely lovers, looking back at all the fond memories they had together. The song paints a portrait of two people hopelessly in love, whose relationship never quite achieved its ambitions of a future together. It captures the despondency of a love that was never meant to be; as much as the two people cared for one another, something kept them apart.
Fiona croons “Jonathan you never loved your home” as a way of expressing the knowledge that despite his love for her, Jonathan could never bring himself to make the changes necessary to make the relationship last. He had already decided to stay in the same place he’s always been, unable to make room for the two of them, and unable to compromise.
The song is an emotional lament about two people that love one another but will never be able to work things out. It is filled with bittersweet nostalgia for the times that the two of them had shared, even if they will never be able to be together again. It is a story of love lost and of the resigned acceptance that comes when a relationship cannot be saved.