The song refers the ending of a previous relationship James had. It specifically refers to a summer James had spent in Pensacola with his partner at the time and the emotional battle he was going through, throughout his time there. On one hand, he was enjoying himself, but on the other knowing that...
It started out with a book that I was carrying with me
"Love is a Dog from Hell" I guess you didn't see the relevance back then
I was a sweaty, tattooed mess. You were likeable at best
But I knew that we wouldn't be doing this again, oh
And I knew if I let you go to waste, I'd never forgive myself
So I sat back, enjoyed my time
Drinking till the morning, laughing with your Dad
I knew that his would be the hardest goodbye
And I want you to notice
And I wish you would care
I just wanted to feel like something's there
I just want a reaction
Yeah something to feel
Or a single emotion that seems real
I turn with it all in my head
As I stumbled 'round the city where your Grandfather died
And I got lost in all the alcohol, open skies and anecdotes
Those good ol' boys could charm me all night
And I want you to notice
And I wish you would care
I just wanted to feel like something's there
I just want a reaction
Yeah something to feel
Or a single emotion that seems real
And I was thinking back to that bar in Pensacola
I wonder if my name is still written on the wall
And I was thinking back, oh, to Hugh and Chelsea
Wonder if they're married or still together at all
Still together at all
And I was thinking back to that bar in Pensacola
I wonder if my name is still written on the wall
Pensacola, 2013 was written by Adam Noble & Tom Ogden & Max Britton & Matt Veck-Gilodi & Lee Wilson & James Veck-Gilodi.
Pensacola, 2013 was produced by Adam Noble.