In the second verse, she reflects on the fleeting nature of life and how everyone's particles will eventually disperse into the universe. But despite the fleeting nature of life, she still wants to be loved and to matter while she's alive. She acknowledges that the desire for love may not matter in the long run but is something she wants in the present moment.
In the bridge, she asserts that the person she is addressing does love her, and she wants them to use their potential to pick her up and love her in a passionate way without fear of hurting her. She encourages this person to let their guard down and begin a new chapter, and then affirms that she is the woman who wants them to win.
Overall, "I Want You to Love Me" is a song about the human desire for love and connection, and how that desire can make us vulnerable. It speaks to the universal longing for validation and affection and the hope of finding someone who will love us back.
I Want You To Love Me
Fiona Apple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every print I left upon the track
Has led me here
And next year it'll be clear
This was only leading me to that
And by that time
I hope that
You
Love me
You
Love me
I move with the trees
In the breeze
I know that time is elastic
And I know when I go
All my particles disband and disperse
And I'll be back in the pulse
And I know none of this'll matter
In the long run
But I know a sound is still a sound
Around no-one
And while I'm in this body
I want somebody to want
And I want what I want
And I want
You
To love me
You
And I know that you do
In the dark
I know that you do
And I know that you know
That you got the protector to pick me up
And I want you to use it
Blast the music
Bang it, bite it, bruise it
Whenever you want to begin, begin
We don't have to go back to where we been
I am the woman who wants you to win
And I've been waiting
Waiting for
You
To love me
You
You
In "I Want You To Love Me", Fiona Apple describes her longing for someone to love her while acknowledging the fleeting nature of human existence. The first stanzas refer to the journey she has been on, following her personal trail and its eventual end. The idea of time being elastic is introduced, evoking the sense that the past, present and future can be stretched and altered. Apple then reveals that she seeks someone to love her while she is still alive, someone to want her in the present moment. This need for connection is underscored by the repetition of "You love me/ You love me."
In the third stanza, Apple switches back to contemplating time and the fact that in the long run nothing will matter, and yet the sound of a person's voice remains connected to their being. Apple knows that her time on earth is limited and that eventually she will die, but she wants to experience human connection while she is still alive. The final portion of the song describes the passion and intensity of her desire to be wanted, and the image of two people coming together with music as the catalyst is used as a metaphor for the power of love.
Overall, "I Want You To Love Me" is a song that reflects on the human desire for connection, while acknowledging that life is fleeting and there is often an underlying sense of mortality. The lyrics are poignant and introspective, and the music itself is hauntingly beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
I've waited many years
I'm longing for love and waited patiently for it for years.
Every print I left upon the track
Every step I've taken has led me to this moment of being in love.
Has led me here
All my past experiences have brought me to this point of loving.
And next year it'll be clear
By next year, I'll know if this love is true and if it's meant to last.
This was only leading me to that
All those past experiences were just leading me to this moment of love.
And by that time
When I finally find true love.
I hope that
I have hope that.
You
I'm speaking to the person I love.
Love me
I want that person to love me.
You
I still address the same person.
Love me
I'm reiterating that I want this person to love me.
I move with the trees
I feel a part of nature and believe in the elasticity of time.
In the breeze
As nature moves along, so do I.
I know that time is elastic
I believe that time is flexible and can bend to my will.
And I know when I go
When I die.
All my particles disband and disperse
My body will break down into basic elements and become one with nature.
And I'll be back in the pulse
I'll return to the life force of nature.
And I know none of this'll matter
I'm aware that in the long run none of this will matter.
In the long run
At some point in the future.
But I know a sound is still a sound
Something exists even if it doesn't last forever.
Around no-one
Even if no one else knows about it.
And while I'm in this body
While I'm alive and in this physical form.
I want somebody to want
I want someone to desire me.
And I want what I want
I know what I want and I want it badly.
And I want
I still want.
You
I'm still addressing the same person.
To love me
I want this person to love me.
You
Again, addressing the person I love.
And I know that you do
I'm confident that you love me too.
In the dark
Even in the absence of light or clarity.
I know that you do
I trust that you love me.
And I know that you know
I believe that you are aware.
That you got the protector to pick me up
You're the one who will always be there to pick me up when I'm down.
And I want you to use it
I want you to protect me and never let me down.
Blast the music
Play the music loudly.
Bang it, bite it, bruise it
Feel free to be reckless and passionate in your actions.
Whenever you want to begin, begin
Take the initiative in the relationship whenever you want.
We don't have to go back to where we been
We can move forward and start anew.
I am the woman who wants you to win
I'm your number one supporter and want to see you succeed.
And I've been waiting
I've been waiting for you to love me.
Waiting for
Still waiting for.
You
As always, waiting for the love of my life.
To love me
To have your love and affection.
You
Still addressing the same person.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Fiona Apple Maggart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@faustorment
I WANT YOU TO LOVE ME
[Verse 1]
I've waited many years
Every print I left upon the track
Has led me here
But next year it'll be clear
This was only leading me to that
And by that time I hope that
[Chorus 1]
You love me
You love me
[Verse 2]
I move with the trees in the breeze
I know that time is elastic
And I know when I go
All my particles disband and disperse
And I'll be back in the pulse
[Verse 3]
And I know none of this will matter in the long run
But I know a sound is still a sound around no one
And while I'm in this body
I want somebody to want
And I want what I want
[Chorus 2]
And I want you to love me
You
[Bridge]
And I know that you do
In the dark, I know that you do
And I know that you know that you got
The potential to pick me up
And I want you to use it, blast the music
Bang it, bite it, bruise it
Whenever you want to begin, begin
We don't have to go back to where we've been
I am the woman who wants you to win
And I've been waiting
[Outro]
Waiting for you to love me
You
You
@nelsonnmc
When she said 🐬🐋🐬🐋 I felt that
@tolbydamit
That's FA? I thought that was Yoko Ono?
@laurenginder9981
This is funny
@jyruuu2253
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
@palomabaena4427
JAJAJAJJSJDDJHF
@marleenstiller1908
I love your moustache.
@luc123abc
The album stars with “I’ve waited many years”. Yes, we have waited many years, Fiona
@CesarJoel94
lol 😂
@yourmotherheaux
I'm ugly
@MsLemon1971
She had to get the bolt cutters out to free her. Seriously!