"Same Airport, Different Man" by Julia Jacklin is a deeply introspective and emotional song that reflects on the narrator's experiences and self-discovery. The lyrics follow the narrator's encounters at the same airport with different men, representing different stages and changes in her life. The song begins with the line "Same airport, different man, I'm starting to think that I don't know quite who I am," indicating the narrator's confusion and uncertainty about her own identity. Each time she visits the airport, she observes a different man, symbolizing the different versions of herself she has become over time. The narrator also mentions different dresses she wears at the airport, using them as metaphors for the changes she goes through. The blue dress is longer, possibly representing maturity or a more settled phase in her life. The previous red dress was short and tight, implying the discomfort and insecurity she felt during a previous time. Furthermore, the song touches upon the theme of lost love. At sixteen, the narrator lost her first love to a one-way flight, which resulted in a different life for her. She reflects on this profound loss and the impact it had on shaping her present self. The lyrics mentioning going home and riding home reflect the narrator's transition from being under her mother's care to creating her own home and taking responsibility for her own life choices. The line about getting the train alone suggests her newfound independence and self-reliance. Interestingly, the song ends on a more positive note as the narrator observes a different man at the airport who appears happy. This could symbolize the potential for the narrator's growth and happiness in embracing her changing self. Overall, "Same Airport, Different Man" is a introspective song that explores themes of self-discovery, loss, change, and the process of finding one's identity amid life's transitions and experiences.
