Lonesome Love

Lonesome Love

Mitski

Keeping with the ‘Old West’ theme of the album, the title “Lonesome Love” is a play on Lonesome Dove, the 1985 Western epic miniseries starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones.

The song tells a story of a past lover who Mitski cannot get over, despite trying to convince herself that she has. After spending much time working on her outward experience, hoping to prove to herself and her ex that she has moved on, she ends up caving once again.

At the end, Mitski begs the question “Why am I lonely for a lonesome love?” This line shows her feelings of emptiness and regret following this encounter, and also continues the theme of loneliness that can be seen throughout the album.