Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: psych-rock
Song Meaning of “Broken Down in Montreal” by Raygun Cowboys
“Broken Down in Montreal” is a lament to the struggles of young adulthood. It tells the story of a person who has taken up a job far away from home but still feels like a stranger in this new land. They long to return home, but are stuck in a limbo of loneliness and longing.
The protagonist is trying to keep themselves from fully giving into feelings of loss and yearning. They know that they need to keep moving and focus on the goals they have set for themselves, but life in this new place is wearing them down. There are many different interpretations of what the song could mean, but it’s clear that loneliness and displacement are central themes.
The chorus of the song emphasizes this sense of displacement, as the words “drifting around, no place I’m going” reflect the lost feeling and emptiness of the character’s situation. The song also contains lines about playing cards and not caring what wins and losses might be. This imagery can represent the protagonist’s attempt to remain stoic and focus on the future, despite their current circumstances feeling overwhelming.
Ultimately, “Broken Down in Montreal” is an emotional exploration of the feeling of having to start from scratch in a brand new place. It speaks to how we can end up feeling stranded and alone, even in a city full of life and people.