"Passenger" by Lisa Hannigan is a song that tells the story of a person who is carrying the weight of a past relationship as they physically travel from one place to another. The protagonist is reminiscing about their journey across various cities in the United States, their experiences, and the emotions they are carrying with them. The song starts with the narrator wandering through Chicago, clandestinely carrying their past lover as emotional baggage. They reflect on the distance and emotional disconnect between them, as the lover remains oblivious to their presence. The narrator meticulously packs their lover in a suitcase and tries to reconcile their own emotions by ironing out the creases of their memories. As they continue their journey to Salt Lake and Salt Lake to Texas, the narrator reveals a sense of longing and desperation. They resort to supernatural means, summoning remote hexes, and sending them across vast distances just to feel close to their lover. In Phoenix, Arizona, they consider reaching out to their lover but dismiss the idea as it remains only a fleeting notion. The chorus repeats the lover's question, "She said Bird, why?" The narrator's response of "I said Bird, why?" suggests their own confusion and longing for answers. The repetition emphasizes the emotional turmoil they are going through. The narrator's emotional state continues to unravel as they arrive in Ohio and Minneapolis. In Ohio, they compare their lover to a chewed-on biro (pen), indicating the enduring and consuming nature of their memories. They admit to being unable to decipher the depth of their emotions, feeling both closer and farther away from understanding. Amidst the snowy landscape of Minneapolis, the narrator metaphorically buries their lover. The repetition of the lover's question, "She said Bird, why?", alongside the plea for help, "Oh my satellite, oh my passenger," highlights the protagonist's overwhelming need for closure and understanding. Overall, "Passenger" by Lisa Hannigan delves into the complexities of carrying the weight of past relationships while physically traveling. It encapsulates the longing, confusion, and emotional journey of the protagonist as they navigate their way through various locations, trying to make sense of their emotions and find closure.
