The song "The Villain" by Mason Jennings tells a story about a past relationship that left the narrator feeling heartbroken and betrayed. The lyrics describe the people the narrator once knew, who were like cities in their mind, built on the memories of mountains and rivers they have left behind. The villain in the story is the person who caused the heartbreak but also set the narrator free. The narrator awaits the arrival of love to heal their broken heart, hoping that the person who caused the pain will never cross paths with them again. The lyrics highlight the fact that even though the person may not write or call anymore, they don't offer any hope or show any signs of missing the narrator. They appear distant, wherever they may be. Despite the pain caused, the narrator wishes that the person had fallen in love with them. It indicates a longing for a different outcome, where the person would have reciprocated the narrator's love. The song ends with the narrator focusing on their work and how they fix melodies to fit the person's name. They contemplate on the future, uncertain if they will travel or have another chance at love, but ultimately holding onto the hope of never encountering the person who broke their heart again. Overall, "The Villain" portrays the emotions of heartbreak, longing, and the desire for a different outcome in a past relationship.
