I’ve had a thought, Always Gold by Radical Face is most definitely the best song to capture the relationship between Arthur and John and a lot of the turmoil in the story.
Let’s take a look at the lyrics
“We were tight knit boys Brothers in more then name You would kill for me And knew that I'd do the same And it cut me sharp Hearing you'd gone away“
Like that sounds like their found family. John and Arthur DO kill for each other. On multiple occasions they will kill for each other. And it cut me sharp / Hearing you’d gone away, like that line- god. John up and left. He just disappeared and Arthur took it personally.
“But everything goes away Yeah everything goes away
But I'm going to be here until I'm nothing But bones in the ground”
Arthur literally dies for John. He dies to get John to safety. He is bones in the ground by the time that the first game starts.
“And I was there, when you grew restless Left in the dead of night And I was there, when three months later You were standing in the door all beat and tired And I stepped aside”
John up and left. He disappeared for a year when Jack was little and then showed back up and Arthur was expected to act as if nothing had happened.
“We were opposites at birth I was steady as a hammer No one worried 'cause they knew just where I'd be And they said you were the crooked kind And that you'd never have no worth But you were always gold to me“
Arthur had always been their favorite and John had been the unruly kid that they picked up. And I’m sure that Arthur spent a good portion of that time raising John himself. He might’ve resented it, but big brother/father figure Arthur is the most fitting in my opinion.
“And back when we were kids We swore we knew the future And our words would take us half way 'round the world But I never left this town And you never saw New York And we ain't ever cross the sea”
Okay okay okay, there’s a lot to unpack in this one. Back when they were kids / We swore we knew the future, they blindly followed Dutch’s every word. They stuck to his beliefs and thought that he was the best thing for them. I have no doubt originally Dutch did have a good plan and good intentions, but over time it warped. They were never able to act on those plans of living on a piece of property with their family. They ended up stuck on the run and everything ended that way. They never made it Tahiti or Australia or where ever the hell Dutch had planned to run off to.
“But I am fine with where I am now This home is home, and all that I need But for you, this place is shame But you can blame me when there's no one left to blame
Oh I don't mind”
Nearing the end of the game, Arthur is worn out. He can’t fight anymore, so he takes on last stand and get’s John and his family to safety. He gives everything up. He could’ve ditched them and run off. He could’ve shot Dutch. He could’ve done a lot of things, but instead, he helps John and Abigail get away. And makes sure the rest of the gang had a chance to leave. He gives up so much because he wants them to be safe.
“All my life I've never known where you've been There were holes in you The kind that I could not mend”
John has been damaged for awhile. To join up with Dutch ya had to be in some measure. Arthur had tried his best, but somethings you can’t fix. Like Arthur gives up everything. He gives up any slim chance he might’ve had to, at first, continue to support the gang. And later it’s to save everyone where he can.
“And I heard you say Right when you left that day Does everything go away? Yeah, everything goes away.”
That just reminds me of the mountain and like Arthur making John leave. It’s like so painful. It’s such an emotional thing where he pushes him away and shoves his things into John’s arms.
“But I'm going to be here 'til forever
So just call when you're around. ”
But i’m going to be here ‘til forever / So just call when you’re around, that line. Maaaan. It’s like, Arthur is buried up in the mountains. and if you interpret the animal on his grave as him, he waits until John comes to visit.
In conclusion, the whole song just gives off heavy John & Arthur vibes. Like their whole father figure but also annoying older brother but also resentful thing. like just trust me, okay? I’m making sense.
