Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Headstone” by Man Overboard
Man Overboard’s ‘Headstone’ is an anthem-like, pop-punk track that packs an emotional punch. At its core, the song is about the struggle of letting go, and is a homage to the sentiment of saying goodbye to a lost loved one. Opening with a driving guitar riff and restrained yet emotive vocals, the song reflects the desire of the narrator to “hold onto possibilities” and that “it all might be alright”; longing for a possible change in a situation that has already been set in stone.
Lyrically, the narrator acknowledges the sadness of coming to the realization that “we stood no chance”, that the dreams he had once shared with his lost love have long since faded into the deepest reaches of the past. Despite the feelings sorrow that surround letting go, the narrator finds solace in ‘Headstone’, as he’s ultimately reminded that the memories of his lost love will live on. “As the wind blows, as the pages turn, I’ll never forget your name,” he sings, emphasising that his love will never truly be lost, despite the pain that comes with the passing of time.
For the narrator, ‘Headstone’ symbolizes not just his farewell to a past love, but the transition to a new, although potentially empty, sense of purpose and belonging. The narrator’s resignation to moving on is symbolized by the song’s title, a headstone marking the end of the journey; a reminder that in life, there is an answer in change, and a sense of comfort in knowing that the past, no matter how fleeting or distant, will always be remembered and never forgotten.