The song "Miner's Canary" by Vanessa Carlton is a metaphor for a difficult relationship in which one partner acts as a warning bell for the other. The protagonist describes themselves as a miner's canary, which was once used in mines to detect dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Just as the canary would warn the miner of a deadly gas, the protagonist serves as a warning sign of an impending crisis in the relationship. They offer their partner guidance, but in the end, they have to accept that their time together may be coming to an end. Through it all, they keep their companion company as a form of loyalty and love, even as their situation slowly kills them.