“Stick Season” by Noah Kahan, released in 2022 as part of the Stick Season album, is a deeply emotional song about heartbreak, isolation, and change. The song’s meaning revolves around struggling to move on after a breakup, using the bleak New England autumn as a metaphor for that in-between phase when you’re stuck between what was and what’s next.
This article breaks down the lyrics to uncover the emotions and experiences behind them.
“Stick Season” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: A Sudden Goodbye
As you promised me that I was more than all the miles combined
You must’ve had yourself a change of heart like halfway through the drive
These lines suggest that the relationship ended unexpectedly.
There was once a promise that distance wouldn’t matter, but something changed along the way.
The phrase “halfway through the drive” makes it feel sudden, like someone decided to leave mid-journey.
Because your voice trailed off exactly as you passed my exit sign
Kept on drivin’ straight and left our future to the right
The exit sign is more than just a road marker. It represents a choice.
One person continued forward, leaving behind a future that could have been.
The imagery captures the moment when love slips away, not with a dramatic ending but with quiet abandonment.
Now I am stuck between my anger and the blame that I can’t face
And memories are somethin’ even smoking weed does not replace
There’s a struggle between feeling angry and knowing deep down that blame is shared.
The mention of weed hints at trying to numb the pain, but it doesn’t work.
No substance can replace memories or undo the past.
And I am terrified of weather ’cause I see you when it rains
Doc told me to travel, but there’s Covid on the planes
Weather, especially rain, triggers memories of the relationship, making it hard to move forward.
The mention of Covid adds a layer of isolation, like wanting to escape but being physically stuck, just like emotionally being unable to move on.
Chorus: Loneliness and Self-Destruction
And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks
And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed
Vermont is beautiful, but “stick season” is cold, empty, and gray. It mirrors the feeling of being left behind.
Seeing an ex’s mother and realizing she’s moved on too makes the loneliness even worse.
And it’s half my fault, but I just like to play the victim
I’ll drink alcohol ’til my friends come home for Christmas
There’s some self-awareness here.
Blame is shared, but it’s easier to play the victim.
Drinking becomes a coping mechanism, a way to seek temporary distractions instead of facing the pain directly.
And I’ll dream each night of some version of you
That I might not have, but I did not lose
This is about holding onto an idea of someone rather than who they really are.
It’s easier to dream about a version of the past than to accept the reality of loss.
Now you’re tire tracks and one pair of shoes
And I’m split in half, but that’ll have to do
The imagery is stark. All that’s left are physical reminders, like tracks on the road and an abandoned pair of shoes.
The phrase “split in half” shows the pain of separation, but the acceptance in “that’ll have to do” suggests exhaustion.
There’s no choice but to live with it.
Verse 2: Carrying Old Wounds
So I thought that if I piled something good on all my bad
That I could cancel out the darkness I inherited from Dad
This hints at deeper struggles.
There’s a belief that love could outweigh past pain, but it didn’t work.
The reference to “darkness inherited from Dad” suggests personal battles, possibly with mental health or family trauma.
No, I am no longer funny ’cause I miss the way you laugh
You once called me ‘forever,’ now you still can’t call me back
Losing this person didn’t just take away a relationship. It changed who he is.
The loss of their laughter took away a sense of joy, and the word “forever” feels cruel in hindsight, knowing it didn’t last.
🎶 Find out if Noah Kahan is coming to your area!
Bridge: Holding Onto Hope
Oh, that’ll have to do
My other half was you
There’s resignation in these lines.
The idea of being “split in half” in the chorus is repeated. This person wasn’t just a partner but a part of him.
I hope this pain’s just passin’ through
But I doubt it
Hope is there, but it’s weak.
He wants to believe the pain is temporary, but deep down, he knows it might not be.
“Stick Season” Song Meaning: Lost Love and Unfinished Endings
At its core, “Stick Season” is about feeling left behind. The song captures the pain of sudden loss, not just of love but of identity. There’s self-destruction, loneliness, and the struggle to move on when everything reminds you of what you lost.
The changing seasons symbolize transition, but instead of embracing it, there’s resistance. Just like Vermont’s stick season is an in-between phase, the song’s protagonist is stuck in an emotional limbo, unable to go back, but not ready to move forward.
Songs Like “Stick Season”
Looking for songs that share a similar theme and emotional depth? Here are some that capture heartbreak, change, and longing:
1. “Motion Sickness” by Phoebe Bridgers
“Motion Sickness” explores the lingering pain of a breakup and the difficulty of moving on. Like “Stick Season,” it captures raw emotions, self-destructive tendencies, and the struggle of watching someone leave while feeling stuck in place.
2. “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron
“The Night We Met” is about longing for a past that can’t be reclaimed. Like “Stick Season,” it focuses on memories, regret, and the feeling of being frozen in time while someone else moves on.
Related: “The Night We Met” Song Meaning
3. “Rivers and Roads” by The Head and the Heart
“Rivers and Roads” is about distance, both physical and emotional, after a loved one leaves. It shares the same bittersweet tone as “Stick Season,” emphasizing how change is inevitable but never easy.
Related: Best Songs About Hiking
Conclusion: The Pain of Moving On
“Stick Season” is about the messy, painful part of a breakup, the time when memories still linger, but the person is gone. The song captures what it feels like to be stuck in place while someone else moves forward.
With raw lyrics and haunting imagery, Noah Kahan paints a picture of loneliness, regret, and trying to cope in unhealthy ways. It’s a song for anyone who’s ever felt abandoned and unsure how to move on.
You can listen to “Stick Season” on Spotify and Amazon.
Find “Stick Season” and other great tracks on the Best Songs About Missing Someone list!
Be sure to check out more of our Song Meanings articles!