Shakey Graves crafts a poignant narrative of love, loss, and self-discovery in this evocative track. The lyrics reflect the protagonist's journey through emotional turbulence within an urban setting, where past relationships once brought both joy and turmoil. The city's influence is likened to a cleansing process, stripping away layers of his former self. Despite the intoxication and unanswered pleas for connection, there remains a nostalgic bond with someone he has known since childhood. This enduring relationship is marked by youthful love and painful lessons. Ultimately, the song suggests that through these trials—burning away falsehoods with the metaphorical "alcohol"—one can begin to purify and understand their true essence, or "the perfect parts."
