Songfacts®:

• In the opening track from her seventh studio album, Liz Phair knows there's something wrong with her relationship but does everything in her power to avoid talking about it. Phair says the deceptively upbeat tune is "about the fracturing of a beautiful life, when everything you counted on is suddenly thrown up for grabs." She explains: "I drew inspiration from a friend who was going through a divorce, but the actions in the lyrics are my own. I relate to hiding out in the bathroom when everyone around you is having a good time, but your life just fell apart. You look at yourself in the mirror and wonder who you are now, shadows of doubt creeping into your eyes. Just a few moments ago you were a whole, confident person and now you wonder how you'll ever get the magic back."
• Soberish is Phair's first album in 11 years and reunites her with longtime collaborator Brad Wood, who co-produced her landmark debut album, Exile In Guyville.
• This is the album's third single, following "Good Side" and the Lou Reed-inspired "Hey Lou."
• Phair sought inspiration from the bands she listened to in the late '80s during her days as an art student at Oberlin College, specifically art-rock and new-wave fare. She cited The English Beat, The Specials, Madness, R.E.M.s Automatic for the People, Yazoo, The Psychedelic Furs, Talking Heads, Velvet Underground, Laurie Anderson, and the Cars as major influences on the album.
• Phair on the album title: "Soberish can be about partying. It can be about self-delusion. It can be a about chasing that first flush of love or, in fact, any state of mind that allows you to escape reality for a while and exist on a happier plane. It's not self-destructive or out of control; it's as simple as the cycle of dreaming and waking up. That's why I chose to symbolize Soberish with a crossroads, with a street sign [on the album cover]. It's best described as a simple pivot of perspective. When you meet your 'ish' self again after a period of sobriety, there's a deep recognition and emotional relief that floods you, reminding you that there is more to life, more to reality and to your own soul than you are consciously aware of. But if you reach for too much of a good thing, or starve yourself with too little, you'll lose that critical balance."