Slave To The Beauty
Carpenter Mary Chapin Lyrics


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Don't want to need the way I need you
Don't want to feel like this
Holding back all the words, but not the kiss
For the moment my heart begins to murmur
The moment of truth arrives
And I know you'll shake your head and say goodbye

[Chorus]
I know the price of this to me
I'll light the candle that shines on you
I'll be a slave to the beauty, but not the truth

Don't want to fear the way I fear you'll
Hurt me because you can
I never believed I'd crave that kind of man
I've seen the trail of hearts you've broken
I've seen the traps you lay
And if I had the strength, I'd run without delay

[Chorus]

It's dark and getting colder, and I'm the beholder
And you're all I long to see
Don't want to love the way I love you





[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

In Mary Chapin Carpenter's song "Slave to the Beauty," she expresses her fear of being completely consumed by her love for someone who may not feel the same way. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and hesitation. Carpenter states that she doesn't want to need someone as much as she needs the person she's talking about. She's holding back her feelings but can't resist kissing the person, which causes her heart to murmur. The moment of truth arrives, and Carpenter is aware that the person will shake their head and say goodbye.


In the chorus, she accepts the price of her love for this person and the fact that it's not genuine or reciprocated. Carpenter admits that she's willing to be a slave to the beauty of the relationship but not the truth. She fears how the person can hurt her and their heart-breaking tendencies. She's seen the trail of hearts the person has broken and the traps this person lay, and she wishes she could run away from her love for him without delay. In the end, she doesn't want to love him like she does, which shows her fear of being consumed and potentially hurt.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't want to need the way I need you
I don't want to feel dependent on you for my happiness


Don't want to feel like this
I don't want to feel trapped and controlled by my emotions towards you


Holding back all the words, but not the kiss
I'm keeping my feelings to myself, but still showing my affection through physical gestures


For the moment my heart begins to murmur
As soon as I start feeling vulnerable and emotional


The moment of truth arrives
This is when I have to face the reality of my situation


And I know you'll shake your head and say goodbye
I know deep down that you're not interested in a real emotional connection with me


I know the price of this to me
I understand that this love will come at a cost to my own emotional well-being


I'll light the candle that shines on you
I'll still try my best to make you feel special and loved


I'll be a slave to the beauty, but not the truth
I'll continue to be infatuated with the idea of you, but I won't allow myself to see the reality of the situation


Don't want to fear the way I fear you'll
I don't want to be scared of the potential pain and heartache that may come with loving you


Hurt me because you can
I'm afraid that you may hurt me just because you have the power to do so


I never believed I'd crave that kind of man
I never thought I would be attracted to someone who may hurt me emotionally


I've seen the trail of hearts you've broken
I know that you've hurt others in the past


I've seen the traps you lay
I'm aware of the emotional manipulation tactics that you use


And if I had the strength, I'd run without delay
If I were stronger, I would leave this situation right away


It's dark and getting colder, and I'm the beholder
I'm starting to see the reality of my situation, and it's a scary and lonely feeling


And you're all I long to see
Despite the fear and uncertainty, I'm still drawn to you


Don't want to love the way I love you
I don't want to feel so intensely and desperately in love with someone who may not feel the same way




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY CARPENTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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