Ambivalence
ATR31 Lyrics

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You get too drunk
And you can't tell
Or maybe you're too young to see
My thoughts disband
And disperse
I need you but I love you, baby
I know that people are maleable
And time is expendable

But I'm a flower in water
I know the days affect your ways
And there's a limit to your cares
And I'm a flower in water
I want you, I want you
Want you, I want you
Want you, I want you to want me
And I need you, I need you
Need you, I need you
Need you, I need you to love me
I want you, I want you
Want you, I want you
Want you, I want you to love me
I want you, I want you

Want you, I want you
Want you, I want you to love me.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to ATR31's song "Ambivalence" depict a conflicting state of mind between the singer's desire for the person they love and their frustration with their behavior when they get too drunk or are unable to see things clearly. The opening lines show that the singer is aware of the other person's behavior but they are uncertain whether it is intentional or not. The next lines reveal the singer's struggle to control their own thoughts, which they imply are strongly connected to the other person.

The repeated line "I'm a flower in water" can be interpreted as the singer's feeling that they are caught in a situation over which they have little control, like a flower that can't control its environment in a vase of water. The chorus emphasizes the singer's desire for the other person's love and affection, despite the difficulties caused by their behavior.

The lyrics overall convey a sense of longing and helplessness in the singer's relationship with the other person, caused by external factors beyond their control. It is a complex and heartbreaking portrayal of the difficulty of loving someone who may not always be able to love you back in the way you need.

Line by Line Meaning

You get too drunk
Your intoxication level rises beyond control

And you can't tell
You lose sense of judgment

Or maybe you're too young to see
Perhaps your lack of experience blinds you

My thoughts disband
I become unsettled and confused

And disperse
My focus becomes fragmented

I need you but I love you, baby
I am reliant on you but also deeply devoted to you

I know that people are maleable
I understand that people can be influenced and molded

And time is expendable
Time is a resource that can be used up and lost

But I'm a flower in water
I am a delicate entity that needs certain conditions to thrive

I know the days affect your ways
I am aware that your life experiences impact your behavior

And there's a limit to your cares
You have a finite capacity for caring