You were what I wanted/
I gave what I gave.

Stars’ “Your Ex-lover is Dead” takes us inside the mind of two ex lovers as they are introduced at a party. We don’t get the feeling that this was a love-of-your-life type of relationship. We get a chance to hear their inner-dialogue as they agree to catch a taxi across town.

Both are keenly aware of the other, but are trying to play it cool. At the same time, they are relatively unaffected–compared to other  songs with this theme. Meeting an ex tends to bring out raw emotion. Here it is mostly ambivalence.

The guy doesn’t have much to say in the taxi. But it isn’t because he is heartbroken-he is trying to remember her name. The woman is a little more affected. She seems to remember him perusing her and her not being as into it as she was. It is questionable whether either remember the past perfectly.

Two ex-lovers meeting is a great topic for a song. We’ve had it on this list a couple times now. And there are a couple notable favorites that don’t quite make the list, like Dan Fogelburg’s Another Auld Lang Syne. If ever there is a time of a rush of differing emotions it is at times like these. It can be sad, relief, anger, hurt and anything in between.

StarsThe song does a good job of expressing the underlying sadness, though it is mostly underlying. The title tells us they are both two different people now–perhaps in a better place. It is also nice that they don’t have regrets about their time together. That’s a very progressive mindset that probably will save money on counseling.

These are essentially two strangers passing in the night.

The reason there is an underlying sadness is because I think it is something we bring to the song. At any point in our lives there are constantly people going in and out and when we hear a song like this it brings a feeling of nostalgia, even if that might not have been the intent.

I like all the choices and voices on this song except the introductory spoken line. That doesn’t do anything for me. The imagery is especially great in the song and the piano does a great job of livening up the song. The way the song changes tone between the verse, chorus and bridge adds a unique flavor.

Your Ex Lover is Dead Lyrics

“When there’s nothing left to burn,
You have to set yourself on fire.”

God that was strange to see you again,
Introduced by a friend of a friend.
Smiled and said, “Yes, I think we’ve met before.”
In that instant it started to pour.

Captured a taxi despite all the rain,
We drove in silence across Pont Champlain.
And all of the time you thought I was sad,
I was trying to remember your name.

This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin,
Tried to reach deep but you couldn’t get in.
Now you’re outside me,
You see all the beauty
Repent all your sin.

It’s nothing but time and a face that you lose,
I chose to feel it and you couldn’t choose.
I’ll write you a postcard,
I’ll send you the news.
From a house down the road from real love.

Live through this, and you won’t look back.
Live through this, and you won’t look back.

There’s one thing I want to say, so I’ll be brave,
You were what I wanted,
I gave what I gave.
I’m not sorry I met you.
I’m not sorry it’s over,
I’m not sorry there’s nothing to say.
I’m not sorry there’s nothing to save.

Songwriters: Amy E Millan / Christopher Allen Seligman / Evan Whitney Cranley / Patrick McGee / Torquil John Campbell