"September Baby" by Joseph Arthur is a song that reflects on the end of a relationship and the feelings of loss and longing that come with it. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist's love interest, referred to as "Your holiness," is no longer present in their life. The song explores the emotions of heartbreak, regret, and the struggle to move on. The first verse implies that sometimes, love can make a person feel conflicted and swear to themselves. The protagonist acknowledges that they haven't yet discovered where they truly belong and that they often fantasize about what they never had in the relationship. The chorus, "Summertime is over, I don't owe you nothing," encapsulates the idea that the emotional connection between the protagonist and their love interest has ended. It implies that the summertime, which symbolizes happiness and joy, has come to an end. The second verse highlights the emptiness and loneliness that follows the end of the relationship. The falling leaves represent the passage of time and how it fills their lives with a sense of vacancy. Despite the pain, the protagonist prays that their love interest doesn't abandon them completely. The repetition of the phrase "Summertime is over, I don't owe you nothing" in the chorus signifies the protagonist's defiance and refusal to feel indebted to their ex-lover. This could suggest a desire to move on and break free from the emotional ties. As the song progresses, the lyrics indicate that the protagonist has accepted that their love interest may no longer want to be with them. They mention that the sun is sinking in the autumn sky, symbolizing the end of their relationship. The protagonist acknowledges that if their love interest wants them to be gone, they already feel like they have left mentally. Overall, "September Baby" is a melancholic song that explores the themes of lost love and the struggle to come to terms with the end of a relationship. It embraces the feelings of longing, regret, and the need to find closure and move forward.
