When You're Smiling And Astride Me
Father John Misty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darling, I love you as you are when you're alone
I'll never try to change you
As if I could, and if I were to, what's the part that I'd miss most?
When you're smiling and astride me
I can hardly believe I've found you and I'm terrified by that
I've got nothing to hide from you
Kissing my brother in my dreams or finding God knows in my jeans
You see me as I am, it's true
Aimless, fake drifter, and the horny man child mama's boy to boot
That's how you live free
Truly see and be seen
The opening lines of Father John Misty's 'When You're Smiling and Astride Me' set the scene of a relationship built on acceptance and unbridled love. The singer tells his partner that she doesn't need to fear him and that he loves her for who she is, even when she's alone. He assures her that he'll never try to change her, and ponders what part of her he'd miss most if he were to try.
As the song continues, we learn that the singer has nothing to hide from his partner. He confesses to kissing his brother in his dreams, and references "finding God knows in my jeans," perhaps referencing the deeply personal nature of the things we carry around with us. By being completely transparent with his partner, he is able to live freely and truly see and be seen.
Overall, 'When You're Smiling and Astride Me' is an ode to unconditional love and the beauty of vulnerability. It's a song about being seen and accepted for who you are, even when your truest self might not be conventionally lovable.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no need to fear me
You don't have to be afraid of me, I won't hurt you
Darling, I love you as you are when you're alone
I love everything about you, even when you're by yourself
I'll never try to change you
I won't ever try to make you into someone you're not
As if I could, and if I were to, what's the part that I'd miss most?
Even if I tried to change you, I wouldn't want to lose any part of who you are right now
When you're smiling and astride me
I can't believe how happy and content I feel when you're with me
I can hardly believe I've found you and I'm terrified by that
I'm scared because I never thought I could find someone like you and it makes me vulnerable
I've got nothing to hide from you
I trust you completely and never feel like I need to keep secrets from you
Kissing my brother in my dreams or finding God knows in my jeans
I have weird and embarrassing thoughts, but I feel comfortable sharing them with you
You see me as I am, it's true
You accept me for who I am, faults and all
Aimless, fake drifter, and the horny man child mama's boy to boot
I don't have it all together and sometimes act immature, but you still love me
That's how you live free
Being able to be yourself and be loved for it is true freedom
Truly see and be seen
Our relationship is based on mutual respect and acceptance, allowing us to truly see each other for who we are
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Joshua Michael Tillman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sandip Timilsina
There's no need to fear me
Darling, I love you as you are when you're alone
I'll never try to change you
As if I could, and if I were to, what's the part that I'd miss most?
When you're smiling and astride me
I can hardly believe I've found you and I'm terrified by that
[Verse 2]
I've got nothing to hide from you
Kissing my brother in my dreams or finding God knows in my jeans
You see me as I am, it's true
Aimless, fake drifter, and the horny man-child momma's boy to boot
That's how you live free
Truly see and be seen
rrensaa
"That's how you live free, truly see and be seen." The most important lesson I've ever learned from being in love, honestly.
some guy
rrensaa im missing the lesson here
Baby on Town
It's great when you're boyfriend ask you to be with him always and then this song starts to play inside your head :) after saying; "yes i will always be with you". :)
Jaina Taylor
I literally quoted this to someone earlier in the week.
Valerie Joan
I feel this comment with all my heart. My boyfriend is obsessed with Father John Misty and every time he tells me these songs make him think of me, i cant help but be fucking ecstatic. You deserve to feel good and safe in all your endeavors, friend.
Freyja Frohwein
@some guyto really be able to know someone, you have to be willing to let them know the real you too. You have to confront that mortifying ordeal. Because who you really are, not just the person you portray yourself as, may not be perfect. And that’s scary. But to really experience true love you gotta be willing to let the other person see you as you are. Truly see and be seen.
music
This was my wedding song ❤❤❤ grateful for FJM
Dkotes
happy for you homie<3
MegaThefuture
What a beautiful love story <3
Melani M
This was my song with my first love! The love is forever gone - but I don’t have any regrets, I’ve got memories I’ll always be thankful for.