Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Smell of This Place” by The Early November
The Early November’s ‘Smell of This Place’ is a profound commentary on the power of memory and nostalgia associated with a single place. The song begins with the singer declaring his feelings for a specific location, “The smell of this place makes me feel alive”. The air is filled with deep emotion – a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that he experiences whenever he is back in this area. His memories and sentimentality for the area are tied to fondness, a “lucky charm”.
Throughout the chorus, the singer laments that regardless of how hard he tried to avoid it, the same place always seems to come back into his life no matter how much time has passed since his departure. He is “Stuck like this place is all I ever see”, unable to escape the feeling of being a part of something greater than himself. After a brief interlude, the next verse reveals what ties the singer so strongly to this place: the people. Despite being surrounded by memories, he sees “ghosts of [his] friend”, who provide him with a sense of comfort and remind the singer of the bonds he shared with them in that area.
The song comes to an uplifting conclusion, with the singer admitting that although leaving this place may be necessary at times, it is never easy to let go of the past. No matter how hard he tries to forget, the “smell of this place” will always be a reminder of what once was. This power of memory and nostalgia is what gives the singer the strength to move forward, as he takes his last piece of advice: “So, run off and find [his] own direction.” He now has the courage to face his future, leaving this place not with regret, but with fond remembrance.