Sunset
The-XX Lyrics
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It's like the sun set in your eyes and never wanted to rise
And what have you done with the one I love?
When I look into your eyes, I see no surprise
I always thought it was sad
The way we act like strangers
After all that we had
We make believe, I've never seen your face, you neither mine
And catch my eye, don't register a smile
You were more than just a friend, oh but the feeling
It never came to an end, I can't bear to see you
I always thought it was a shame
That we have to play these games
It felt like you really knew me
Now it feels like you see through me
When I see you again
I'll know not to expect
Stay one step away
We will have to wait
When I see you again
And I'm greeted as a friend
It is understood
That we did all we could
I always thought it was sad
The way we act like strangers
After all that we had
We act like we had never met
I always thought it was a shame
That we have to play these games
It felt like you really knew me
Now it feels like you see through me
The XX's song "Sunset" is a melancholic expression of the frustration and disappointment that comes from a failed relationship. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and emotion, painting a picture of two people who used to share a deep connection but now feel like strangers to each other. The song opens with the line "I saw you again, it felt like we had never met," emphasizing the sense of disconnection and distance between the two people.
The metaphor of a sunset in the eyes is repeated throughout the song, suggesting that the singer sees the end of their relationship reflected in their former partner's gaze. The line "And what have you done with the one I love?" speaks to the singer's sense of betrayal and loss, as if their former partner has stolen something precious from them and they don't recognize them anymore. The chorus is a lament, with the singer expressing their sorrow at the fact that they now have to pretend not to know each other after everything they've been through.
The final verses of the song offer a glimmer of hope, with the singer acknowledging that they will see their former partner again and hoping that they can be greeted as a friend. However, there is a sense of resignation in the lyrics as well, as if the singer knows that their relationship is beyond repair and all they can do is move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you again, it felt like we had never met
Meeting you again felt strange, like our previous experiences had no meaning or impact on us.
It's like the sun set in your eyes and never wanted to rise
Your eyes look dark and empty, like they represent a sunset that's lasting forever.
And what have you done with the one I love?
What did you do with the person I loved? You seem to have taken them away from me somehow.
When I look into your eyes, I see no surprise
Looking into your eyes gives me no indication of whether or not you're surprised or moved by our encounter.
We make believe, I've never seen your face, you neither mine
We pretend like we've never met before, even though we know each other.
And catch my eye, don't register a smile
When we look at each other, there's no hint of warmth or joy on your face.
You were more than just a friend, oh but the feeling
Our relationship was deeper than just a friendly one, but now that feeling is gone.
It never came to an end, I can't bear to see you
Our relationship never really ended, and it hurts to see you in this unfamiliar, distant way.
When I see you again, I'll know not to expect
Next time we meet, I won't have any expectations for how it should be.
Stay one step away, we will have to wait
Let's keep our distance for now, and wait for something to change.
And I'm greeted as a friend, It is understood, That we did all we could
If we greet each other as friends, it means we have accepted that there's nothing else we can do to change the nature of our relationship.
It felt like you really knew me, Now it feels like you see through me
Before, it felt like you understood me and knew who I was. Now, it feels like you've seen through me and know nothing about me anymore.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Romy Anna Madley Croft, James Thomas Smith, Oliver David Sim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind