"Belvedere and Cigarettes" by Jimmy Barnes is a song that delves into the themes of loneliness, heartbreak, and self-destruction. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who has been wandering aimlessly through life for years, feeling lost and trapped in their own emotional turmoil. The protagonist describes their struggle as drowning in their own tears and feeling like a clown. The song suggests that the person has been running away from love and avoiding emotional connections. They have been engaging in self-destructive behaviors, symbolized by their consumption of Belvedere (a brand of vodka) and cigarettes. These vices act as a way for them to escape their pain momentarily but ultimately contribute to their decline and sense of emptiness. The lyrics also convey a sense of longing for love and acceptance, as the person wishes love could be found in a glass, implying that they could drink it all away. However, they acknowledge that love is not so easily obtained and that they have been too busy kissing love goodbye. The repetition of phrases like "on and on" and "what have I become" emphasizes the person's feelings of being stuck in a never-ending cycle of emptiness and blues. They feel like a man without a home, without a sense of belonging or stability, and the only solace they find is in staring at the sun, suggesting a futile search for meaning or direction. Overall, "Belvedere and Cigarettes" reflects the struggles of a person caught in their own emotional turmoil, longing for love but stuck in a cycle of self-destruction and loneliness.
