The song "Broken Arrows" by José González tells a story of lost love and longing. The lyrics depict a scene along the shore, where broken arrows symbolize the remnants of a failed relationship. The narrator suggests that the other person had an intention to return for more, but instead, they leave. This departure marks the end of a summer love, as the season changes and the environment becomes cold and desolate. The line "It's too cold to bathe and the leaves are brown" implies the changing weather and the melancholic atmosphere. The narrator reflects on how the love that was once vibrant and warm has now faded away. The sun going down represents the end of the love they shared and the inevitable loss that accompanies it. The lyrics also hint at the unpredictability of relationships and how things sometimes don't work out, as expressed in the line "That's the way things are sometimes, most of the time." The song explores the feelings of heartache and the difficulty in accepting the reality of lost love. Overall, "Broken Arrows" conveys a sense of longing for a past relationship and the melancholy that comes with reminiscing about lost love. The atmospheric and introspective nature of José González's music adds depth to the emotions portrayed in the song.