First and foremost, let me apologize for missing last week’s “Songs & Such” article. I spent last week handling stuff for a new job that I will be starting soon and forgot to write the article. I will try and see that it does not happen again.

Anyways, we are continuing our look at the songs from the Tooth and Nail band, Anberlin. This week, we are going to look at the song “There is No Mathematics in Love and Loss” from their most recent album Cities. While Cities has many great songs on it, I picked this song for two reasons: 1) it is not the current radio single and 2) I really like the way this song sounds overall. It is not that this song sounds more special than any others on the album, but the way it starts “If you’re leaving, leave the cigarettes. You’ve already got the lighter and the keys” just really helps put you in the conversational frame of mind for a song that is anything but conversational.

What really hits home with me (because something similar has taken place in my life before) was the line “He knows that she’s serious, Not by the look in her face but by the lack of rings.” That “by the lack of rings” is exactly how I knew one of my relationships was over. I am sure that a lot of people have been in a similar situation in their own lives, but for me that was a line that had a nice sting to it. While some might view that sting as a bad thing, it is a testament to just how a song can touch us on a level we never saw coming. When a song can touch the listener on a level they did not expect or in a way that really speaks to them, the songwriter has done their job well.

We still have a couple of songs from Anberlin to look at and we will get those in the coming weeks. Be sure to check back next week for a new song break down. If you have a song or band that you would like to see featured here, please email me and I will see what I can do about bringing articles for those songs/artists. Until next week, check out the lyrics after the jump…

“There is No Mathematics in Love and Loss”
by Anberling
From the Album: Cities

If you’re leaving, leave the cigarettes.
You’ve already got the lighter and the keys.
She packs her boxes.
He knows that she’s serious
Not by the look in her face but by the lack of rings.
Words lost their meanings long ago.
Right around the time when she let him know.

Oh oh oh oh ohoh oh oh

[Chorus]
Have you ever heard a word?
Rather be lonely in love, than alive with you and dead.
Have you ever heard a word?
Hear me out this time (Hear me out this time).
Have you ever heard a word?
Rather be lonely in love, than alive with you and dead.
Have you ever heard a word?
Hear me out this time (Hear me out this time).

There is algebra in gasoline.
Burning pictures, pages and photographs.
Fire can make a conscience clean.
(Strike the match, we’ll see)
Rolls the window down, calls his name and pulls away.
Rethinks every word he’s said in disarray.
Watched their house burn and in turn.
(What made it home, drive away)

[Chorus]

Where does one start
To pick up pieces
Of a gasoline heart?
When all he has is driving away.
Ay ay ay ay ayay ay ay..

[Chorus]