In Jim Cuddy's song "You Be The Leaver," the lyrics tell the story of a relationship where one person feels the need for change and decides to leave, while the other is left behind. The song begins with the narrator discovering a note and a missing coat from their partner. They don't fully understand what is happening until later when their partner calls them, crying, explaining that they need to change their surroundings. This news takes the narrator by surprise and takes their breath away. They acknowledge that they knew it could end but never thought it would happen. The second verse reflects on how the narrator won their partner's heart, but their partner always believed that nothing lasts forever. Over time, they slowly start growing apart and are hardly seen together anymore. The narrator realizes that they had some indication that things were changing, but there always seemed to be plenty of time to address it. Despite the inevitable end of the relationship, the narrator expresses that they have felt similar emotions before and can handle being alone. However, it is strange for them to look into their partner's eyes and no longer recognize the person they once knew. The mention of hearing their partner's name and knowing where they've been indicates that the narrator still keeps tabs on their ex. They admit to feeling uncertain about how they feel about it. But the narrator also finds comfort in their friends who bring love and support, as they wrap their arms around them. The song concludes by questioning whether their partner always knew the time would come when they would leave, leaving the narrator behind. The repetition of the line "You'd be the leaver, and I'd be the left behind" emphasizes the central theme of the song – the imbalance and aftermath of a breakup.
