The meaning of the lyrics of the song "How the West Was Won" by the artist "White Buffalo, The"

The song "How the West Was Won" by The White Buffalo depicts a heartbroken man grappling with the aftermath of a painful breakup. He feels lost and shattered, likening his experience to a speeding freight train - he's moving forward but cannot escape the memories of his former lover ("your scent's still on my skin").

The protagonist blames himself for the separation ("I'm a loser", "I screw it up"), admitting that he didn't know how to act right in the relationship. He is tormented by jealousy, imagining her with someone else ("I can feel you lying next to him").

Trying to numb the pain, he seeks solace in alcohol ("wait for the night and I'll get drunk"), but realizes it's not a solution ("what good is whiskey? It only makes you do wrong!").

In the chorus, the protagonist questions: "Is that how the West was won?". This question is multifaceted. On one hand, it reflects his inner turmoil and willingness to fight for his love, much like cowboys did in the Wild West. On the other hand, it questions the method itself - just as conquering the West was brutal and uncompromising, his own impulsive actions have led to the destruction of the relationship.

Towards the end, the train metaphor takes a tragic turn: it derails, symbolizing the loss of control and the protagonist's desperation. He's willing to do anything to get his lover back, even if it means resorting to potentially destructive actions.