The song "Gone" by John Hiatt tells the story of a person whose lover has left them, emphasizing the feeling of loss and emptiness that comes with their departure. The lyrics describe various things and memories that are now gone along with the lover. The song starts by mentioning the narrator's last paycheck and the car they wrecked, symbolizing the financial and physical damage they have experienced. The mention of a fifth of gin highlights the narrator's tendency to drown their sorrows in alcohol. The chorus repeats the phrase "My baby's gone away," emphasizing the narrator's pain and heartbreak over the loss of their loved one. Throughout the song, there are also references to historical events and symbols that add depth to the meaning. The mention of a "Nixon file" alludes to the infamous Watergate scandal and suggests that even political secrets and scandals can disappear like the narrator's lover. The line about the landlord's smile being gone may imply that the narrator's financial struggles have caused their living situation to change. The lyrics also mention the furniture being gone, further emphasizing the emptiness left behind by the lover's departure. The line "Gone like the one last turn she took before Atlanta burned" refers to the burning of Atlanta during the American Civil War, symbolizing the dramatic and irreversible change that has occurred in the narrator's life. The mention of the silhouette by the bed where the lover undressed and the candlelight where they made love highlights the intimate moments shared with the partner and how those memories have now vanished. Overall, the song reflects the emotions of sadness, loss, and longing that come with a significant relationship ending. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is trying to come to terms with their lover's absence and the void it has created in their life.
