The Story So Far – “Navy Blue” Lyrics Meaning

The Story So Far’s “Navy Blue” tugs at the threads of a complicated emotional tapestry. It’s a raw, gut-punch of a song about grappling with the aftermath of a relationship. The lyrics express a struggle to accept the permanence of a breakup, the temptation to dwell on what once was, and the use of substances to escape from the pain of a partner’s success. The song is aimed at an ex-lover, someone the songwriter can’t seem to let go of fully. The message is clear: while the singer can’t stay mad, they still harbor hope that their ex feels some pang of sadness over their lost love.

Ever been haunted by an old flame? You know, the kind that flickers in the back of your mind, no matter how hard you try to snuff it out? “Navy Blue” is that flicker turned into a firestorm. It’s a journey through the ashes of love burned out. So, if you’ve ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., wondering about the one that got away, this breakdown is for you.


“Navy Blue” Lyrics Meaning

When The Story So Far lead vocalist belts out, “I bet it hurts to read permanence,” you can practically hear the paper tearing. Those words? They’re about the inescapable reality of a breakup. The permanence of ink on paper becomes a metaphor for the unchangeable end of a relationship.

The frontman’s pain is palpable as he sings, “Damn it’s hard to find sustenance when all I had was love for this and now you don’t.” It’s like he’s scraping at an empty plate. Love was his food, and now he’s left starving.

Then there’s the substance abuse. It’s not about the substances themselves—it’s about wanting to obliterate the memory of the ex’s “accomplishments.” Each success is a reminder of what the songwriter no longer has a part in.

“She told me don’t think like that, it’s really not that bad.” This line introduces someone trying to talk sense into him, a friend, or perhaps a piece of his inner dialogue. But it’s clear: he doesn’t want to be soothed. He wants to stay in this painful place a little longer.

“I hope this makes you sad.” It’s not vindictive; it’s desperate. He’s looking for a sign that he meant as much to them as they did to him.

The metaphor of the “match” and “lie” adds an element of quiet fury. He could set the world ablaze with his anger, yet he feels helpless, a passive participant in his own life.

The “navy blue” jacket at his sister’s wedding isn’t just a garment; it’s a shroud of sadness, a uniform of the forlorn, left hanging like his unresolved feelings.

The Story Behind “Navy Blue”

The writer was likely in a state of mind where everything reminded him of what he lost. This isn’t just a song; it’s a session on the therapist’s couch, a letter never sent, a confession in the dark. It’s about confronting the echo of ‘us’ and finding it just as loud as ever.

The repeated insistence “I can’t stay mad at you” is the mantra of someone who’s trying to convince themselves more than anyone else. It’s a classic stage of grief: denial, but with a twist. He’s not denying the breakup; he’s denying his own healing, almost indulging in the pain as if it’s the last connection he has to the relationship.

“Navy Blue” is a color and a mood. It’s the hue of the night sky just before it goes black, the color of the ocean’s depths. It’s the color you see when you close your eyes and think of a love lost.

It’s the creation of a musician who knows that, sometimes, the only way out is through. And through the song, he’s tracing his way through the thicket of emotions, hoping to find a clearing on the other side.