Carly Rae Jepsen has received three Juno Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and an Allan Slaight Award, in addition to nominations for Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Polaris Music Prize and People's Choice Awards.
Heavy Lifting
Carly Rae Jepsen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a happy mess
My dress slips to the floor
And I pose, what an amateur
To be like this, "exposed"
You deny the other side of me
That strips good love away
When I looked at me today
When you look at me the way you do
My fingers tingle
I can't breathe until we're skin on skin
When you look at me the way you do
My life moves in perfect motion
You're doing all the heavy lifting
Worlds collide
I see a side of you
I never saw before
We can work it out, let's talk it out
I want to know you more
Just decided
That I'd like to side with you
Oh every time
When you ask me how I'm feeling now
You know I'm feeling fine
When you look at me the way you do
My fingers tingle
I can't breathe until we're skin on skin
When you look at me the way you do
My life moves in perfect motion
You're doing all the heavy lifting
Oh, look at me the way you do
Look at me the way you do
Look at me the way you do
Oh, look at me the way you do
Look at me the way you do
Look at me, look at me the way you do
When you look at me the way you do
My fingers tingle
I can't breathe until we're skin on skin
When you look at me the way you do
My life moves in perfect motion
You're doing all the heavy lifting
Oh, look at me the way you do
Look at me the way you do
Look at me, look at me the way you do
Oh, look at me the way you do
Look at me the way you do
Look at me the way you do
When you look at me the way you do
"Heavy Lifting" by Carly Rae Jepsen is a song about falling in love and feeling vulnerable. The first verse sets the stage for a romantic encounter where the singer falls apart, both physically and emotionally. The words "you undo me" evoke a sense of surrender and helplessness, while "my dress slips to the floor" implies that the singer is shedding layers of emotional armor. The line "I pose, what an amateur" suggests an unsteady confidence, perhaps a feeling of exposure or awkwardness. The second half of the verse establishes a contrast between the singer's different selves: the one that embraces love and the one that shies away from it. The idea of "the other side of me that strips good love away" indicates a fear of vulnerability and the possibility of getting hurt.
The chorus is a celebration of the love between the singer and their partner. The way that the partner looks at them has a physical and emotional impact on them, making "my fingers tingle/ I can't breathe until we're skin on skin". Their presence is not only intoxicating but also empowering, as they "move in perfect motion/ You're doing all the heavy lifting". The idea of heavy lifting can be interpreted in two ways: the partner is either taking the lead in the relationship, or they're helping the singer carry their emotional baggage. Regardless, the chorus is a joyful acknowledgement of how love can transform and elevate us.
The second verse explores the theme of discovery and acceptance within a relationship. The singer sees a new side of their partner that they never noticed before, and they realize that they still have a lot to learn about each other. The lines "We can work it out, let's talk it out/ I want to know you more" suggest a willingness to communicate and connect, which is essential for a healthy relationship. The verse ends on a positive note, with the singer declaring their loyalty to their partner: "Just decided that I'd like to side with you". Overall, "Heavy Lifting" is a catchy pop song that captures the ups and downs of falling in love, with all its insecurities, fears, and joys.
Line by Line Meaning
You undo me
You have a profound effect on me; you make me feel vulnerable and exposed
I'm a happy mess
I'm a chaotic mixture of emotions, but it's a happy chaos because of you
My dress slips to the floor
Being with you makes me lose my inhibitions and feel free to express myself
And I pose, what an amateur
I feel like I'm awkwardly trying to be sexy or attractive for you
To be like this, "exposed"
Being vulnerable and showing my true self to you is scary but also exhilarating
You deny the other side of me
You refuse to see the negative or flawed parts of me that could potentially ruin our relationship
That strips good love away
Those negative or flawed parts of me could ruin the good love we have together
And you kissed my mirror reflection
You love me even when I don't love myself and remind me of my own beauty
When I looked at me today
When I was feeling down or insecure about myself
My fingers tingle
Your touch sends shivers down my spine and makes me feel alive
I can't breathe until we're skin on skin
I feel alive and complete only when we're physically intimately connected
My life moves in perfect motion
Everything in my life seems to fall into place and feel right when I'm with you
You're doing all the heavy lifting
You make things easy for me and support me through anything, taking on the hard work to make our relationship work
Worlds collide
Our different lives or personalities can clash and cause conflict, but we can overcome it
I see a side of you
I discover new or surprising aspects of your personality that I hadn't known before
I never saw before
Something hidden or unexpected you reveal in yourself
We can work it out, let's talk it out
We can communicate and overcome any problems or misunderstandings between us
I want to know you more
I have a desire to really understand and connect with you on a deeper level
Just decided
I made a conscious choice regarding our relationship or feelings for each other
That I'd like to side with you
I choose to stand by your side, support and care for you
Oh every time
Every time we interact or connect it feels special and important
When you ask me how I'm feeling now
You show genuine concern and interest for how I am emotionally
You know I'm feeling fine
I feel content and happy with you in my life
Oh, look at me the way you do
Your gaze or attention toward me is a special and powerful thing that makes me feel loved and appreciated
Look at me, look at me the way you do
I want to be seen and admired by you in that special way forever
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Carly Rae Jepsen, Ryan Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind