Rough on the surface but you cut through like a knife
this could indicate that the protagonist have a rough exterior maybe they don't show their emotion or they try to hide it. however, this ship/ love interest cut through that roughness like a knife. a knife is a violent image and perhaps a forceful image. this shows that he is able to cut through her roughness or maybe is is softer in his presence.
Every bait and switch was a work of art
she is referring to her pass experience. every instance where she was tricked was a work of art because it allowed her to be in a place where she can meet her soul mate.
You know that my train could take you homeAnywhere else is hollow
the word "you know" shows that the protagonist is figuring him out a little bit more. a hollowness means that there is an emptiness
Like you were a trophy or a champion ringAnd there was one prize I'd cheat to win
a trophy and a champion ring are prizes. so this shows that her love interest is a man of high value that anyone would want. she is willing to cheat to win him.
As if you were a mythical thing
she talks about mystical time. her love interest is like a man of myth, it is kind of like he does not exist just like in a fairy tale.
Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind (oh)
the word 'was' is very important because this shows that his presence now means that her life is no longer a willow. he is like the winds of change in her life because when he came, her willow/ life bent towards him
I'm begging for you to take my hand
the word 'begging' here is very important because she started the song as a rough body of water but now she is like a follower. "take my hand" could mean take my hand on this journey of life, take my hand to be with me or also be referred to as taking her hand in marriage
Lost in your current like a priceless wine
this is very interesting because in the beginning of the song, the protagonist was the water but now the love interest is the water because he has a current that she gets lost in. she is very affected by him as he is able to cut through. "priceless wine" could have like a biblical connotation turning water into wine because she was water in the beginning of the song
Hey, that's my man
the repetition of the word "that's my man" was repeated 6 times in this verse. she is very sure that this is her man and she wants everyone to know it.
Guess I should've known from the look on your face
she is figuring him out which shows that they are getting to know each other more.
Now this is an open-shut case
before this, she was not sure if this was an open shut case. but now she is certain about how they feel about each other
Wait for the signal and I'll meet you after dark
'wait for the signal' makes it feels like a forbidden romance.
Show me the places where the others gave you scars
this shows that they want to get to know each other on a intimate level. or to share their darkest secrets. the word 'scar' could be referred to as emotional wounds inflicted by their past experiences or others.
But I come back stronger than a 90's trend
this shows that she is very resilient and does not give up easily
They count me out time and time again
the word 'they' could be referring to society. this could mean that they left her out many times but she still manage to get back up
I'm begging for you to take my handWreck my plansThat's my man
repetition of her begging him to take her hand, wreck her plans, that's her man. these are repeated lyrics
Head on the pillow, I could feel you sneaking in
this is showing that he came into her life without warning or any indication. he came into her life in a way that she would never expect because he 'snuck' in while she was metaphorically sleeping
That's my man
she has come to a conclusion that he is the one meant for her
Wreck my plans
she's begging for him to come even if he will messes up her plans.
Wherever you strayI follow
the word 'stray' connotes a feeling of carelessness. wherever he goes without thinking about it, she is going to follow him. she is invested for better or for worse, she is gonna follow him. it is like he is exactly what she is craving but she does not even know she was hungry to begin with. the word 'stray' is kind of like aimlessly wandering somewhere. it is very interesting that it says "i follow" like it is in present tense because the way that this song is unfolding, it seems like she is trying to figure him out in present time/ in real time. it seems like she is coming to this conclusion instantaneously
The more that you sayThe less I know
the protagonist cant' figure him out. he is so mysterious that the more he says, the more questions she has. there is no clarity here but she just knows that he has an effect on her that is very strong.
And if it was an open-shut caseI never would've known from that look on your face
an open and shut case is referring to something where the conclusion can easily be found. the protagonist realizes that this guy is different. her water are rough but he is able to cut through it and he is a different type of guy that she has even ran into. she could be describing her reaction to him. these two lines indicate to me that the protagonist can't read him. it is very mysterious and it is not an open and shut case right now.
I'm like the water when your ship rolled in that night
the protagonist is like water and the love interest is the ship. this is significant because willow trees like to grow next to water. water has a depth, on the surface it can be rough and chaotic but underneath it can be quiet and calm. this connects a feeling of mystery. water is also a very purifying entity. the phrase "that night" means that this is all occurring under the cover of darkness. this water which is very cleansing and purifying is existing within a darkness here, that is a very interesting juxtaposition. (juxtaposition is when things are set side by side for the purpose of comparison) the ship could represent an arrival of sort.
