Azure Ray is an American indie duo, consisting of musicians Maria Taylor an… Read Full Bio ↴Azure Ray is an American indie duo, consisting of musicians Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink. Azure Ray started in Athens, Georgia, in 2001 and later relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, and joined the music scene there, leading to collaborations with Bright Eyes and Now It's Overhead, among others. Their sound is sparse and understated, with intimate lyrics, elements of alt-country and folk Americana, and occasional forays into minimalist electronica.

The duo took a brief hiatus beginning in 2004 while each member pursued solo projects. They reunited from 2008-2012 releasing two albums, before disbanding again until a reunion show in 2018 and announcement of a new EP, Waves.

Shouldn't Have Loved
Azure Ray Lyrics

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Young girl by your side
She asks no questions
So you don't lie

How effortless it can be
She feels lucky
And you are free

I shouldn't have loved
I shouldn't have loved you that way
I shouldn't have loved
I shouldn't have loved you still
Shouldn't have loved
Shouldn't have loved you that way
You that way, you that way

And now it's been two years
Do they know you still come here?
And day gives in to night
And then guilty morning light

Shouldn't have loved
Shouldn't have loved me that way
Shouldn't have loved
Shouldn't have loved me still
Shouldn't have loved
Shouldn't have loved me that way
Me that way, me that way

Shouldn't have loved
Shouldn't have loved you that way
Shouldn't have loved
Shouldn't have loved you still
Shouldn't have loved
Shouldn't have loved you that way

You that way, you that way
You that way

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Shouldn't Have Loved" by Azure Ray tell the story of a woman who is in love with a man who is with someone else. He has a young girl by his side who "asks no questions" and he doesn't lie to her because she doesn't ask anything. The singer of the song feels that the relationship between the man and the young girl is effortless, he is free and she feels lucky. The woman singing the song regrets falling in love with this man, and feels guilty for still loving him after two years. The love affair is a secret, as the morning light brings guilt and shame. The song expresses the sorrow and regret of loving someone who cannot reciprocate those feelings and the consequences that follow.

The lyrics of the song are poignant and haunting, capturing the feelings of heartbreak and remorse. The woman singing is tormented by her love for a man who is with someone else. She knows she has made a mistake, but she is trapped by her emotions, unable to let go of her love for him. She is haunted by the guilt of her infidelity and the knowledge that she has hurt the young girl who is with the man. The song effectively portrays the complex emotional landscape of a love affair that is doomed from the start.

Line by Line Meaning

Young girl by your side
There is a young girl with you and she does not ask any questions, so you do not have to lie.

How effortless it can be
The relationship with this young girl is easy, and she feels lucky to be with you; you are also free from the pressure of a serious commitment.

I shouldn't have loved
The singer regrets loving someone who was not truly available.

I shouldn't have loved you that way
The artist wishes they had not fallen in love with someone who could not reciprocate their feelings.

I shouldn't have loved you still
Despite the amount of time that has passed since ending the relationship, the artist still harbors feelings for this person.

Shouldn't have loved
The singer is plagued with regret over their past actions and decisions regarding this person.

Do they know you still come here?
After two years, the people in the singer's life are unaware that they still visit the same place where they once spent time with this person.

And day gives in to night
Time passes as the artist reflects on their feelings.

And then guilty morning light
The morning brings a sense of guilt and possibly regret over past choices.

Shouldn't have loved me that way
The artist's former lover should not have loved them in a way they could not return.

Me that way, me that way
The singer is focusing on how their former lover loved them, realizing it was not the right way to love them.

Shouldn't have loved you that way
The artist should not have loved their former lover in a way they could not return.

You that way, you that way
The singer is focusing on how they loved their former lover, realizing it was not the right way to love them.

Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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