IMAGINING MY MAN
Aldous Harding Lyrics
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It can be so hard to forgive
It's not what I thought, and it's not what I pictured
When I was imagining my man
You are so nervous all of the time, living the classics
I know that imagining my man
Imagining, imagining my man
All my life (hey!) I've had to fight to stay
You were right, love takes time, hey, hey
You have this dream, apparently I'm not done
I leave and it's dreadful
If you get there
Be honest, respectful
All my life (hey!) I never tried to stay
You were right, love takes time, hey, hey
I hope one dream will get that when we're
Lucky to be given the chance
I do not have the answer
But I don't have the wish to go back
All my life (hey!) I've had to fight to stay
You were right (yes!), love takes time, hey, hey
All my life (hey!) I've had to fight to stay
You were right, love takes time, hey, hey
The song "Imagining My Man" by Aldous Harding is a contemplative piece about the complexities of love, relationships, and letting go. It begins with the line "I'm going to answer, protecting," which suggests a guardedness or reluctance to fully reveal oneself in a relationship. The next line "It can be so hard to forgive" adds to this sense of guardedness, implying that the singer may be holding onto past hurts or disappointments in love.
The chorus of the song is where the title "Imagining My Man" comes into play. The singer sings, "It's not what I thought, and it's not what I pictured when I was imagining my man." This line suggests that the singer had some preconceived notion of what love and a perfect partner were supposed to look like, but reality did not match those images. The line "You are so nervous all of the time, living the classics" could be interpreted in a few ways: either the singer is referencing a specific person who is always jittery or anxious, or they are speaking in more general terms about how people often fall into traditional gender roles (i.e. "living the classics").
The second verse shifts slightly in focus, with the line "All my life (hey!) I've had to fight to stay," which suggests a long history of struggle or hardship in relationships. The singer then addresses an unnamed person who has a dream but says "apparently I'm not done," indicating that the singer may not be interested in fulfilling that dream. The line "If you get there, be honest, respectful" could be interpreted as either the singer offering advice for the other person's dream or setting boundaries for what they are willing to do in a relationship.
Overall, "Imagining My Man" is a deeply introspective and self-aware song about the hazards of expectations in love and the difficulties of letting go of past hurts or disappointments.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going to answer, protecting
I will be honest but also cautious in my response
It can be so hard to forgive
Forgiveness is not always easy to give
It's not what I thought, and it's not what I pictured
Reality is not always what we imagine or hope for
When I was imagining my man
This refers to her expectations of her partner
You are so nervous all of the time, living the classics
The partner is anxious and possibly stuck in old habits
I know that imagining my man
This line again refers to the expectations of her partner
Imagining, imagining my man
Repeated for emphasis or emphasis on the idea of imagination
All my life (hey!) I've had to fight to stay
She has had to struggle to maintain her identity or presence in different contexts
You were right, love takes time, hey, hey
The partner's advice on the importance of patience in a relationship rings true
You have this dream, apparently I'm not done
The partner might have aspirations or goals that have yet to be fulfilled, which she might not be able to help with
I leave and it's dreadful
The thought of leaving, whether temporary or permanently, creates distress
If you get there
This is an unfinished thought, but it could mean if the partner reaches their goal or if they come to a resolution about their differences
Be honest, respectful
If they reach an endpoint in their relationship, honesty and respect are essential for a healthy parting
I hope one dream will get that when we're
The wish that their shared dreams can come true
Lucky to be given the chance
Grateful for the opportunity to pursue their dreams
I do not have the answer
Uncertainty about the future and how to navigate it
But I don't have the wish to go back
Even amidst the uncertainty, there is no desire to return to the past
All my life (hey!) I've had to fight to stay
Reiterating the struggle to maintain one's presence or identity
You were right (yes!), love takes time, hey, hey
Reaffirming the partner's advice on the importance of patience and investment in a relationship
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: HANNAH SIAN TOPP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrTroybear
"Imagining My Man"
I'm going to answer, protecting
It can be so hard to forgive
It's not what I thought, and it's not what I pictured
When I was imagining my man
You are so nervous all of the time, living the classics
I know that imagining my man
Imagining, imagining my man
All my life (hey!) I've had to fight to stay
You were right, love takes time, hey, hey
You have this dream, apparently I'm not done
I leave and it's dreadful
If you get there
Be honest, respectful
All my life (hey!) I never tried to stay
You were right, love takes time, hey, hey
I hope one dream will get that when we're
Lucky to be given the chance
I do not have the answer
But I don't have the wish to go back
All my life (hey!) I've had to fight to stay
You were right (yes!), love takes time, hey, hey
All my life (hey!) I've had to fight to stay
You were right, love takes time, hey, hey
@itsnotrael1920
i'm going to answer...protected
it can be so hard to forgive
it's not what i thought
and it's not what i pictured
when i was imagining my man
all my life (hey)
i never tried to stay
you were right
love takes time, hey hey
you have this dream
apparently, i'm not done
i leave and it's dreadfull
if you get down
be honest, respectful
all my life (hey)
i never tried to stay
you were right
love takes time, hey hey
i hope one dream we'll get that way
lucky to be given a chance
i do not have the answer
but i don't have the wish to go back
all my life (hey)
i had to fight to stay
you were right (yes)
love takes time, hey hey
all my life (hey)
i had to fight to stay
you were right
love takes time, hey hey
@MarkStuckert
Ah Aldous’ earlier, hatless works
@petercpmfiolet7488
LLOOLL!!!!! duuuude that´s killing me, niccce!:)
@coffeecuppepsi
Your comment has been flagged for hat speech.
@scorpiosunrising7964
😂😂😂
@herzeliedstein573
Look at all the peaches
@eduardolourenco7458
hahahahahaah, I think she lost herself in the character.
@crieverytim
One of those songs that can make you spontaneously burst into tears
@elizabethcraig7399
ice la honk absolutely, every time
@dizzytel
This is the most beautiful song I've heard in a long time. It perfectly captures vulnerability and honesty and the complexity of these lives we live and relationships we navigate. I hope if somehow Aldous ever reads these comments she knows how much that honesty is appreciated and how badass her music is!!
@charleshultquist9233
boy howdy