Love Me Or Leave Me
Anita O’Day Lyrics

In "Love Me Or Leave Me," Anita O'Day sings about a relationship that is filled with uncertainty and inconsistent commitment. The singer is being approached by someone who opens their arms wide and invites them to lay by their side, symbolizing a desire for closeness and intimacy. However, the singer suspects that this could be just another fleeting romantic encounter, and if that's the case, they'd rather be left alone than go through the pain of being let down yet again.

The singer asserts that they are not interested in being the love interest's part-time lover. They believe that love is much more than occasional moments shared together. They have reached a point where they can no longer handle the emotional rollercoaster that this relationship brings. They have enjoyed the present moments as much as they can bear, suggesting they have reached their limit and cannot sustain this up and down pattern any longer. Thus, they urge the love interest to make a decisive choice - either truly love them or leave them alone.

The chorus emphasizes the singer's ultimatum - love them wholeheartedly or let them go. They are no longer willing to tolerate half-hearted love or mixed signals. They want their partner to understand that they are serious about needing their love to be sincere and consistent. The repetition of "Love me or leave me alone" solidifies their determination, suggesting that they have reached a breaking point and will no longer settle for anything less.

Reflecting on the past, the singer acknowledges that they might have been younger and naively believed that love could overcome any obstacles. However, they have matured since then, realizing that sometimes love is not enough to sustain a relationship. They thought they had finally resolved their confusion about the relationship, but it has become clear that their decision was misguided. It's a sad realization, but they now know that love alone cannot make a relationship work.

In the final lines, the singer insists on honesty. They implore their love interest not to deceive them any longer. They want them to make a choice - either truly love them or let them go. The repetition of "Love me or leave me alone" in the last lines shows that the singer has reached a point where they are ready to move on and find strength and independence, no longer willing to continue in an ambiguous and unfulfilling relationship. They have recognized their worth and refuse to settle for a love that is not genuine.