The song "Opaline" by Jeff Tweedy tells a story of loneliness, fear, and the desperate search for love and connection. The narrator is depicted as hiding from the police outside his window, seeking solace and escape from the harsh reality of the world. The repeated refrain of "O'Opaline, make believe that you still love me" suggests that Opaline is a person or a symbol representing love and comfort. The lyrics imply that the narrator's relationship with Opaline has deteriorated or ended, leaving him feeling isolated and desolate. He longs for the affection and companionship he once had, but he struggles to find it, as evident in the line "It's hard to see reality when you've got no love at all." The song also touches on themes of mortality and the fragility of life. The mention of a hearse driving slowly and stopping at tolls alludes to death and the finality of it. The line "No change, no E-Z Pass, what a way to go" echoes the sense of being unprepared for the inevitable end, both literally and metaphorically. The lyric "I'd like to find out why she had to go" suggests a deep longing for understanding and closure as to why Opaline left. The narrator's heart desires something it cannot control, indicating the inherent vulnerability and lack of control in matters of the heart. As the song progresses, the narrator seems to find solace in Opaline's absence, describing how he hangs in the air as the light gets cold and hides in her shadows, welcoming her home. This could imply a sense of dependence on the memory of Opaline, or perhaps the narrator's acceptance of his loneliness and finding comfort within it. Overall, "Opaline" explores themes of longing, loss, loneliness, and the consequences of lacking love and connection. The lyrics paint a picture of a person yearning for love, trapped in a world that feels cold and hostile.
