The song "Mona" by James Taylor tells a story about the loss of a dear friend and the regret and guilt the narrator feels after their death. The song reflects on the difficulty of finding true friends in life and the pain of losing them. The lyrics highlight the narrator's struggle to express their feelings to their friend, Mona, before her passing. They regret not being able to tell her the things they wanted to say, and now they direct those sentiments towards the listeners instead. The song acknowledges Mona's physical appearance and suggests that she had become too large to handle and too old to consume. This metaphorical statement implies that Mona had grown distant or unmanageable in some way, making it difficult for the narrator to care for their friendship. The narrator also reminisces about the time when Mona was just a football at her mother's side. The lyrics suggest that others may have assumed she would end up as food for a barbecue when she died, perhaps indicating that she was undervalued or underestimated. The song portrays the narrator contemplating Mona's resting place in the ground, feeling conflicted about her death. They express a sense of guilt and even hint at seeking revenge against her for an undisclosed wrongdoing. The reference to a "twelve-gauge surprise" implies a violent act, which may reflect the narrator's raw emotions and their struggle to cope with Mona's absence. The song also touches on the aftermath of Mona's death, with the narrator expressing that life has remained the same, but Mona's memory lingers everywhere. They admit that sometimes it's easier to lie to friends who may not understand the depth of their grief. Finally, the narrator reflects on their own loneliness after causing Mona's death and how they still miss her company, despite the guilt they feel. Overall, "Mona" is a heartfelt song that explores themes of friendship, regret, guilt, and loss. The lyrics delve into the narrator's complex emotions surrounding the death of a friend and their struggle to make sense of their own actions and feelings.
