Jonathan Coulton w/ Park Stickney - Today with Your Wife (live)

[@Girfan108]

I always thought this was a real sad song. I've always thought it was about a man who kept running into his best friend's widow. The two have feelings for each other, but the narrator sees her as his friend's wife. The narrator is expressing his guilt to his deceased friend, lamenting his absence. This song shows just how much feeling Coulton puts into his music. I can't wait to hear what he releases next.

[@clockworkNate]

I seriously thought almost the exact same but the husband of the woman died from something stupid and completely his fault like he was drunk driving. But then I paid a bit kore attention to the lines "stupid cars stuck in the snow, getting home to late to go" sounds kind of like he's just a neglectful jerk that makes excuses to not have to go anywhere and help his wife with things and can't even watch the kids while she's out doing errands. I don't know, I wish we had an absolute answer but I know that will never happen... given the subject of the song and how it likely stems from someone Coulton personally knows.

[@sirbirbton]

Eh, close but not quite it. The friend isn't dead.

[@sovaxelemizzrym4377]

​@@sirbirbtonCoulton has confirmed it isn't about cheating.

[@andybaldman]

Has anyone ever asked Jonathan what HIS interpretation of this song is, or what he had in mind when he wrote it?

[@masaufuku1735]

This is one of my favorite JoCo songs. I have a less obvious interpretation of it though. The two most obvious interpretations are either that the narrator is cheating with the wife (which doesn't really fit since the narrator seems genuinely disappointed that the other person isn't there) or that the other person is dead (possibly recently) - which definitely fits the tone of the song, but there are a few lyrics that suggest the other person is still alive, most notably "car stuck in the snow, getting home to late to go" which suggests that the only reason the other person didn't make it is that he didn't make it home in time. And the following line of "I'm not saying anything" suggests that this sort of thing might be a pattern and the narrator is trying to avoid sounding accusatory (and kinda failing). To me, this song is about the narrator and his estranged father's new family. When the narrator was a child, his father was notorious for coming up with flimsy excuses for why he couldn't make it to things, and possibly abusive in some way (the "everyone seemed ok, but she'd never say" line suggests the narrator might be concerned about possibility of abuse). So when the narrator makes plans to spend time with his father and his new family, and then it turns out that his father can't make it (car stuck in the snow) - the "I'm not saying anything" line is him trying to convince himself that the excuse was genuine this time and not a continuation of his old patterns. The narrator and his wife talk about the narrators father - likely because him not being there brought up a lot of negative emotions, and while the narrator doesn't visit them often, it's not the first time and the two have built up enough trust that he's comfortable talking about them with her ("it's been a long time since we had a good talk"). And while the narrator enjoyed spending time with his half-siblings and their mom (whom he kisses on the cheek when he leaves), he is still disappointed that his father wasn't there and he wrote this song as a way to express his feelings of disappointment over his father missing yet another event with him. This interpretation is undoubtedly influenced heavily by my own life experiences since I've lived from more or less exactly this.

[@trudi1962]

Your explanation is as beautiful as the song itself ❤️

[@MrSlothJunior]

It fits well. That said, I do think that it can still work with the song being about a guy spending time with a friend's widow. The thing with the car being stuck, could be them getting to her home too late for him to leave for his own home, meaning that he stays the night. He feels guilty about this. Hence "I'm not saying anything. I just thought you'd want to know.". This isn't flawless though, as the way the narrative fits the lines is a bit flimsy.

[@officialJoCa]

man, im too fucked up to read that. nice song tho.

[@anniepeace1863]

I like this way. I also read that the woman’s husband, the narrator’s friend, is alive, just…absent. Absent in some preventable way. I feel like the narrator was friends with the husband first, so he doesn’t run into the wife much while the husband is absent. And this definitely feels like the family is bring neglected, and like the narrator wishes the friend/husband/father would do better. “I’m not saying anything”

[@sirbirbton]

That's... a lot but no, the first theory was correct. It is a woman cheating on her husband with another guy.

[@Saycille]

This song always makes me cry. I have an uncle who passed away way too young. Whenever I see his wife, and his kids, I usually find myself thinking "he should be here."

[@sirbirbton]

I'm sorry for your loss, but... that's not what the song is about :/

[@LukeHennisch]

@@sirbirbton how isn't it? It's very clear in the lyrics. Even despite that, people can have their own views on the meanings of songs.

[@ahleena]

Seems to me that people see different interpretations based on what best fits their personality in this situation, or whatever situation they've experienced that fits this most. This song is like a prism, bending and reflecting what we've put into it.

[@theemeraldjester5351]

This is one of your saddest songs in my opinion and it makes me feel a special kind of melancholy that not much else can. I grew up listening to your music and honestly it kind of made me who I am today, so I just wanted to say thank you for making such beautiful music Jonathan Coulton. Also back in like 2018 I got a signed copy of the Solid State comic book and I still have it. Fucking love your work man, and I hope you're doing well in life. Thank you for being you.

[@goodwatast]

Like many JoCo songs, there are layers of interpretation; usually an easy surface interpretation and a more complex (and usually sad) version. 1. It could be a creepy guy hanging out with his friend's wife. 2. Maybe he's chastising the guy. Stuck in the snow? Home too late? Lame excuses for not meeting your family 3.Finally, there's the sad interpretation. A husband who's no longer there, being spoken to by a friend, father, or brother who's letting him know his family is getting by ok.

[@Gle3nn]

So beautiful on the harp. This is my favorite song on the new album.

[@johnmdill]

Our comments telling varying perspectives of the song may infer our own experiences. That's possibly meaningful to consider introspectively.

[@A_Wild_Dyzzy]

Jonathan Coulton is the only person to have brought me to tears with a song.

[@jessechounard]

You bastard, Coulton. This beautiful song always makes me so sad. (It also makes me need to go give my wife a hug.)

[@nonyobizness7307]

This song has been on loop for hours as I sit here feeling hard things. Thank you.

[@LincolnEddy]

This is such a sad, beautiful, perfect song.

[@yjoey]

Best songwriter ever? Yes.

[@kiwimass]

Such a lovely voice.

[@TheWaywardJs]

I can't imagine changing the strings on a harp.

[@nathanbauer8949]

When I listen to this song I always imagine that it all takes place just after a man's funeral (obviously). However, instead of it being the widow's lover I view it more as the widow's parent consoling her after his death. Then the chorus seems to be the typical protective father saying "I told you to take care of my little girl." when he really says. "You should have been there."

[@ChristianCTaken]

Huh. My mom keeps assuming that it's a "ha ha I'm with your wife" thing. :P

[@MistaTwigz]

+Kenpokid4 That is the original meaning of the song, yes. But I love the alternate interpretations of it.

[@sindex]

@NeLTaKProdutions I've been debating between a similar interpretation and an interpretation of a guy basically telling his friend, "You're claim to be too busy to spend time with your family and you're missing your kids grow up, and your wife misses you. Stop making lame excuses like you got home too late."

[@anniepeace1863]

This is what I see. It happens a lot, and it’s incredibly sad

[@byrondejong9872]

Yeah i think by it's title and the first lyrics of the song its mean't to mislead you about the songs meaning. Either he is dead or isn't around seems to be the message and him saying "You should of been there" is actually sincere. "Getting home, too late to go" "I'm not saying anything" seems to imply the singer is interested or having sex with his wife. Regardless it's a touching song and a good addition to a great album.

[@panicBoydotcom]

Unreal. Just so sweet. Jesus is dressing really snappy these days too.

[@GeirMovies]

I love this song!

[@DerClaudius]

I liked that. Thanks, Mr. Coulton :)

[@tomasinacovell4293]

You've truly added something Jonathan!

[@myksmith]

@NeLTaKProdutions What I find so awesome about this song is that I keep coming up with interpretations like yours (although not exactly yours - I like it!). And what I like about this song so far is that he *doesn't* tell us what it's about, so it can be about ALL of them right now...

[@skedmcvey3913]

I had a great time, and then I cried a bunch , thank you again for putting this fantastic sappy material out there , yadayada...

[@happmacdonald]

That's some amazing bass on that harp, never heard a harp so bassy before. Oh yeah, and also, ZOMG Coulton! ;D

[@BrianTCarter]

All the elements of this song work together perfectly. I love the chord changes. I'd love to here some cello and viola maybe too, a nice pad under the second part of each verse would be sweet. then again, not my song :) Go Joco!

[@adamliebreich-johnsen6104]

The album version uses a trombone quartet from the bridge on. It's gorgeous.

[@missbell2303]

Beautiful x

[@niiiiiiisse]

Amazing rendition o:

[@benfrenchman]

I think it's about a man running into a friend whose husband (also his friend) has recently passed away. It starts raining so they have to take shelter under a shop awning, and have an awkward conversation. The bridge about the car stuck in the snow doesn't fit very well with that but I thought it could be talking about JoCo's own car, getting stuck in the snow which prevented him going to the guy's funeral.

[@Justplainsomething]

@NeLTaKProdutions Actually, I guessed it's the protagonist spending time with his sister-in-law maybe a year after his brother's death.

[@MattBlickDotCom]

@NeLTaKProdutions I suspect Coulton doesn't even know, but it could also his or her Father...

[@mattjones2016]

Now that theyvemade this video I just NEED to see a Now i am an arsonist video

[@RocktheSocks]

@NeLTaKProdutions I thought *exactly* the same thing at first, and I thought no one else had thought about that. But I agree, now, that it means something different. Although either interpretation is heartbreaking.

[@FaceofFrequency]

@NeLTaKProdutions That seems a bit better than my guess. Mine was that the husband was simply rarely there or he wasn't there for big events (such as her/his mother's death or something) because he though making money (or worse) was more important. I like yours better methinks though.

[@CaptHowdy77FP]

I can't believe I thought this through so much, but I have an interpretation: It can't be a funeral. If it was, you would NEVER call it a "great time." Also, the "kids" would not be splashing "on the sidewalk." No one has a "great time" at a funeral, and as far as I know there are no graveside sidewalks. It sounds like the husband is missing an event (as usual?), while the wife is ok with it and the kids barely notice that Dad isn't there. So, kinda sad but not SO tragic.

[@GLue02]

Maybe it's introspective... about how life on the road affects a someone's life and all the important things you miss when you're on tour?

[@Justplainsomething]

@NeLTaKProdutions I thought that, too.

[@Araclain]

I want his coat.

[@AdamOfNebb]

@CaptHowdy77FP It wouldn't be at a funeral, it would just be meeting with the wife after his death. Then he's talking to the guy later at the grave.

[@Maybeprobablynot]

I wonder why is ukulele in the tags...?

[@LokiEvryn]

Those are Heartstrings on Park's Harp, aren't they?

[@ambiej123]

Whenever I hear this song, I think of Arrow's side kick being in love with his dead brother's wife

[@SESteve]

Very sweet. Whenever I sing along with this song I can't get through "waved to your children" without choking up. Who is the harpist?

[@GuitarMage77]

The way I think of it, this song's about a guy who stole another guy's wife, and is now rubbing it directly in his face. It's pretty funny if you think of it that way.

[@MasonPelt]

Is this a song about a funeral?

[@NeLTaKProdutions]

What i thought this song was about at first was some weird story about cheating. But after listening to it for a while i’ve changed my mind. I think it’s a man standing by the grave of his deceased friend telling him how his wife never says she wishes he was still there. Any thoughts?

[@TheJamin1227]

the snow part is how the guy die

[@OnlyOneEarth8]

Good analysis...but with respect I must point out a common error. "You SHOULD'VE been there". "Should've" is a contraction of "Should have" and many people mistakenly hear it as "Should of". Peace.

[@jjmblue7]

That or is she is just considering leaving him, potential alternate romantic partner or no.

[@MrMallard19]

Seems to me like it's a guy catching up with his dead friend's wife. He must have been close to both the friend and his family.

[@JustAnotherHumanist]

It's beautiful, and I love his work to death. But honestly, those glasses are sorta silly.

[@RustyButts]

he looks like liquid from mgs4........with hair

[@user-ot1dv6ri4f]

I like this song a lot but why did you change your dress style it really doesn't feel right as an original fan

[@MisterAppleEsq]

Man, JoCo totally sold out by wearing different clothes.

[@orystory]

This is my least favorite song on the album. I think it's creepy no matter what the interpretation. Unfunny creepy.

[@faner117]

i think is sad and in a weird way very honnest

[@andybaldman]

That says more about you than it does the song.

[@suddenlybenreplies1762]

don't like the way you're dressed, mate. It's too showy. That's not your thing.

[@ch1llb1lly]

I always thought this was a little corny until I learned the backstory. Now it's one of the hardest hitting ones.