The lyrics of Urge Overkill's song "Totem Pole" tell a story about a relationship and the longing for someone who is no longer there. In the first verse, it describes how the person being sung about took their time in the morning and didn't say goodbye before leaving. The house they lived in was always open to the singer, and it was located right by a totem pole. The lyrics then mention the year 1973, but the street referred to is unknown. It questions if it is a neighborhood, a specific area code, or a phone number. The person being sung about mentioned meeting the singer by the totem pole, but any place starts looking good when you are alone. The second verse reflects on how the singer and the person being sung about missed their time together without any warning. The singer realizes that everything gets old and ponders whether they should have lived more like a family man, implying a desire for commitment or stability. The singer misses the person's laugh and their connection, realizing they should have held onto them. The chorus is then repeated, emphasizing the year 1973 and the unknown location. She promised to meet the singer by the totem pole, but any place becomes desirable when you are finally on your own. The final verse expresses a sense of frustration and loss. The person being sung about is described as "shit out of luck" and not putting effort into the relationship. They are losing faith, time, face, and potentially their sanity. The song concludes by repeating the phrase that she said she would meet the singer by the totem pole, emphasizing their absence. It suggests that the promise was not fulfilled, leaving the singer to contemplate their own independence.
