Sadness Worthy Of Reed: Vaines – “Nobody Like You”

Vaines

“Nobody Like You”

This is an extraordinarily dark, layered song about that one who got away, but that trivializes it.  This is about your soul mate, you know you’re meant for each other, and somehow, that mate is gone.  This is the saddest song about love lost since Damien Rice’s “Accidental Babies”.  I love this song.  And Vaines feels every line he sings. Jared Gaines (under the moniker Vaines) grew up splitting time between his mom in the small town of Ogdensburg, NY, and his in Toledo, OH, with his aunt and uncle. His childhood was tumultuous, and his relationship with his mom remains strained due to her drug addiction. As a coping mechanism he developed a goofy, over-the-top personality. He let his loneliness lead to creativity and he put that energy into writing music and being involved in the local music scene.  His songs are deep, complex, sad.  They make me cry, which is good.  It means we still feel.  Lou Reed would understand.  Read the lyrics below:

i hate walking in the dark when i’m walking home
there ain’t a better place for me to feel alone
used up, i don’t move much
you been clouding up my vision, you been blowing smoke
i let you closer than you should’ve gone
my mistake, i guess i should’ve known
now i’m supposed to flex like a price check
but you’re like the devil, you gonna throw me to the flames, oh

nothing really matters anyway
and i don’t want to play these fucking games no more
been running round in circles every day
and you been on and off for a while now
i’m not about to drop everything
yeah if i don’t mean anything then I’m already gone
so turn the lights out, out

i don’t need nobody like you
i’m alone and i’m doomed
i don’t need nobody like you
and i’m so sick from breathing in fumes
i don’t need nobody like

i’m drinking out here in the valley staring at my phone
there ain’t a better place for me to feel alone
three o’ clock and i’m awake and glossy-eyed
you got me feeling so hot and cold
baby i’m tryna hit you but you mixing signals
i’m mixing my liquor it’s drowing my head cuz
with every letter you send, i’m going insane
you got me feeling like i won’t ever see the end, oh

nothing really matters anyway
you got me wrapped around your finger like a diamond ring
been running round in circles every day
and you been on and off for a while now
i’m not about to drop everything
yeah if i don’t mean anything then i’m already gone
so turn the lights out, out

i don’t need nobody like you
i’m alone and I’m doomed
i don’t need nobody like you
and I’m so sick from breathing in fumes
i don’t need nobody like

my brain: spinning seven, eight shots deep
my heart: pumping venom through my body
wanna sleep but my eyes: bloodshot
who, who’s this girl in my bed? It’s not you