Fire is commonly used as a metaphor for passion, and particularly love. Calling a lost lover an “old flame” derives from this idea.

The two narrators compare themselves to moths, drawn towards a flame that will kill them. They know their old lover is bad for them, but they can’t help being attracted to them.

Although Frank is far from the first to compare a lover to fire – it’s probably older than Shakespeare – he has done so before, most notably on “Substitute”:

The last girl that I loved she was a low and lusty liar
She set my heart on fire, but made me choke
Her beauty was a sight to see, but she didn’t save it all for me
I found other fires by following the smoke

“Best Alternative Music Album” has traditionally been the “true Best Rock Album”. Whilst “Best Rock” has been dominated by artists 20 or 30 years past their prime (the first winners were The Rolling Stones… in 1995), “Best Alternative” has been won by Vampire Weekend, St. Vincent, Bon Iver, Phoenix, and The White Stripes. In the 90s, Nirvana, R.E.M. and Radiohead all won.

This year’s list could be mistaken for the 2005 list, with nominations for Bjork, My Morning Jacket, and Wilco. Whilst they all made respectable albums, only Bjork’s is a credible contender for the list.

The omission of Sufjan Stevens and Beach House is extremely weird, but perhaps not surprising; despite stellar discographies, neither has ever been nominated.

From this list, Tame Impala deserves to win – but Alabama Shakes have to be the favourites.

Even by the astonishingly poor standards of the Best Rock Album category – only once, with American Idiot, has it been won by a credible contender – this is a poor selection.

Why is Courtney Barnett recognised as a potential best newcomer but not given an album nomination? What about Wolf Alice?

The distinction between “Rock” and “Alternative” is far from clear. Really, there’s no reason why these albums shouldn’t be competing with Currents, not to mention Carrie and Lowell, I Love You, Honeybear, and Depression Cherry.

Although there’s a strong case that this is the best song nominated, it was released in April 2014, and probably shouldn’t be nominated.

When Frank first tried to record this song during the sessions for Love Ire & Song, he was concerned that touring was stopping him spending time with his friends. It was the main theme of the last two songs on that album, “St. Christopher Is Coming Home” and “Jet Lag”.

In your teens and early twenties, it’s easy to fall in love with someone you barely know. As you age and experience heartbreak, it’s harder to give that sort of trust.

Frank re-used this metaphor on “The Way I Tend To Be”:

But you stood apart in my calloused heart
And you taught me and here’s what I learned
That love is about all the changes you make
And not just three small words