One of his greatest songs in my opinion. I love the music. That guitar is placed perfectly in the mix. The feedback and whammy bar use and the pointed, bitter tone reflect the mood perfectly but it's made quiet enough not to upset the balance. And "rejection is one thing but rejection from a fool is cruel" is one of my favorite lines in all his lyrics.
When this song was new I immediately heard it as a song to former fans or possibly critics who had moved on from the days they thought he was great, but there is really nothing in the lyrics that suggests this. Now I see it more as the end of a relationship or a friendship when you still kind of care about the person but there are hurt feelings and resentment. It doesn't matter though. It's the same message to someone you once had some sort of bond or mutual affection with.
The switch from " I really do understand" to "I really don't understand this time" and the
"The pressure to change, to move on
Was strange
And very strong
So this is why I tell you
I really do understand
Bye bye"
is perfect.
There are people who will come part of the way with you and go against what they've been taught by their parents, schools, and society, churches, governments, police, but then they grow up or they reveal some inner doubt. They want to fit in.
That's what it means to me anyway.
10/10