The Blower's Daughter

Damien Rice's 'The Blower's Daughter' is a poignant ballad that captures the essence of unrequited love and longing. The song's lyrics are a raw and honest portrayal of the singer's emotions, as he grapples with an intense attraction to someone he cannot have. The repetition of the line 'I can't take my eyes off you' emphasizes the obsessive nature of his feelings, suggesting a deep connection that is one-sided and consuming.

The song's title, 'The Blower's Daughter,' and the line 'the pupil in denial' hint at a story behind the lyrics. It's been speculated that the song is about a forbidden love, possibly between a teacher and his student, which adds a layer of complexity and taboo to the already intense emotions. The phrase 'the blower's daughter' could refer to the daughter of a wind instrument player, metaphorically suggesting that the singer is affected by her presence as one is by music. The 'pupil in denial' could be the singer himself, refusing to accept the reality that his love is unattainable.

The song's structure, with its crescendo of emotion leading to the confession 'Did I say that I loathe you? Did I say that I want to leave it all behind?' reveals the inner turmoil and conflict. It's a moment of vulnerability where the singer admits to negative feelings that coexist with his desire, perhaps as a defense mechanism against the pain of unreciprocated love. The closing lines, 'I can't take my mind off you... 'til I find somebody new,' suggest a hope for moving on, yet the lingering melody leaves a sense of unresolved yearning.