In 2015, American singer-songwriter Taylor John Williams blessed the world with his song “The Mates of Soul” as part of the album “Song Of A Dead Man”.
Although it’s been several years since it came out, the song’s popularity reached new heights in early 2023. That was when a TikTok video went viral, showing two dancers improvising a lovely number to this very song.
Just like that, my love for the song was reignited and I found myself spending hours dwelling on the song’s lyrics. Today, we’re exploring the meaning behind “The Mates of Soul” to -hopefully- do right by its beauty.
Verse 1
“Honey, honey,
Do you see ’em running?
Even though it seems like nobody’s moving at all
Stay together, no matter what the weather
Even if the winds are changing everything that you are”
The song is thought-provoking from the get-go. Its opening pushes the listener to find an answer to something only the singer seems to see.
“Do you see them running?” is directed at the singer’s lover, but it asks both her and the listener about something they can’t perceive.
The artist continues to intrigue us with the contrast in his words when he says “Even though it seems like nobody’s moving at all”.
He’s encouraging his lover and the listener to pay attention to the situation happening in front of “us” because it appears to be impossible; how can people be running when no one is moving?
This tells that the running around isn’t necessarily literal. People’s minds are the ones doing the running by constantly thinking.
Thinking about what? Well, finding love and holding onto it. The artist conveys this in the next line “Stay together, no matter what the weather”.
It’s both a reference to what’s on people’s minds and a request for him and his lover to stick together despite the challenges they may face. It also tells us that experiencing everlasting love is something everyone wants even if they don’t say it out loud “Nobody’s moving at all”.
The artist continues to emphasize those meanings by saying that continuity in love is sought after even when the hardships of life force us into becoming different people.
“Even if the winds are changing everything that you are” is also a hopeful notion in everyone’s mind; maybe true love will persist regardless of the obstacles and the change.
Chorus 1
“Said I never believed in the mates of soul
So I never once claimed that I know
That you’re the only, only one for me”
This chorus shows us the convictions of the artist as he states that he always said he doesn’t believe in the idea of soulmates. He never thought such perfection was possible.
As a result of not believing in this concept, the singer never pretended to know if he and his lover were meant to be together. He never proclaimed her as the “only one” for him.
What I love about these lyrics is that no one can conclusively tell whether the artist means that he never believed in soulmates but now does, or still doesn’t.
Did he change his mind after being in a relationship with his current lover and now thinks she’s his soulmate? Or does he think there may be other suitable partners out there he could love, but he chooses to love her because he wants to?
I believe these words and the way they’re sung hold both meanings because it depends on the listener. Some believe love is a matter of destiny while others believe it’s a choice.
Verse 2
“Honey, honey
Do you see ’em gunning?
Aiming at her heart in case it makes a getaway
They say to stay together
And promise to forever
Even if forever never really wanted to stay”
The second verse starts with another intriguing question following the same idea of inquiring about something visible only to the singer.
He asks his lover -along with the listeners- if they can see how the people who were consumed with thoughts of finding and keeping love are now gunning. This line shows us that people are not just thinking about love, but are now taking action to get it.
So what are they “gunning” for? The heart of a person.
That’s a metaphor for people trying to win the love of their respective interests. They’re “aiming” for their hearts to “catch” their affection.
There’s also a reference to people taking risks to reach the grand goal of love, evident in the words “in case it makes a gateway”. It’s a poke at the possibility of losing love if you don’t dare to pursue it.
I love the artist’s choice of words here as well. The expression “gunning” seems to fit perfectly with the theme of famous lyrics “Love is a Battlefield” and “All is Fair in Love and War”.
The artist continues to elaborate on the reason people are fighting so hard for love. It’s because they want to achieve the principles of believing in soulmates; staying together and promising to love one another forever.
“They say to stay together”
And promise to forever”
These lines are also the artist’s brilliant way of subtly asking his lover to do the same with him. ‘People fight for each other’s love and promise to stay together forever, so why don’t we do the same?’ is the vibe I’m getting from the singer.
He’s a bit stubborn to admit that he wants what being a soulmate involves without coming right out and saying it aloud.
The artist strikes with double meanings once again using the line “Even if forever never really wanted to stay”.
He’s shedding light on how people make illogical promises that they’ll stay in love forever, even when they know nothing could last forever.
But at the same time, the artist is admiring the hope and effort of people who really mean their promises of sticking forever and fighting for love even if it means overcoming the fact that forever doesn’t last, – they’ll make it last.
The artist is trying to express that he wants his relationship to be like that without saying it directly.
Chorus 2
“And I know deep down that you feel it too
There’s an army out there that’d die for you
So come on, can we just let this be?”
After the artist repeats the first chorus, he hits us with this one to wrap up the song.
He’s speaking to his lover, telling her that he feels that she also shares his thoughts and emotions that he’s been singing about.
By working in the line “There’s an army out there that’d die for you”, he’s playing with the idea of what would happen if they were or weren’t soulmates.
If they’re indeed soulmates, then these words are meant to tell her that other people also believe in soulmates and think she belongs with them instead, as well as other people who don’t believe in soulmates but believe in choosing who they love and choose her.
The same still stands true if they aren’t soulmates. The fact is, there are so many people (“an army”) who’d be willing to fight for her love despite his presence.
The last line “So come on, can we just let this be?” is an invitation for them to leave all the complicated thoughts they’ve been experiencing throughout the song behind them and just live in the current moment, where they’re together happily.
It’s also a plea for both of them to let go of their fears and doubts and enjoy each other’s love without worrying about the deep innerworkings of relationships.
Checkout Taylor John Williams’ website for info about his live streaming and other song lyrics.
Full Lyrics
(Verse 1)
Honey, honey,
Do you see ’em running?
Even though it seems like nobody’s moving at all
Stay together, no matter what the weather
Even if the winds are changing everything that you are
(Chorus 1)
Said I never believed in the mates of soul
So I never once claimed that I know
That you’re the only, only one for me (hah)
(Verse 2)
Honey, honey
Do you see ’em gunning?
Aiming at her heart in case it makes a getaway
They say to stay together
And promise to forever
Even if forever never really wanted to stay
(Chorus 1)
I said I never believed in the mates of soul
And so I never once claimed that I know
That you’re the only, only one for me
(Chorus 2)
And I know deep down that you feel it too
There’s an army out there that’d die for you
So come on, can we just let this be? (Hey, ooh)
(Chorus 1)
I said I never believed in the mates of soul
And so I never once claimed that I know
That you’re the only, only one for me (Ooh, yeah)
(Chorus 2)
And I know deep down that you feel it too
There’s an army out there that’d die for you
So come on, can we just let it be? (Ooh)
Come on, can we just let this be?
