The chorus repeats the idea that the speaker is letting go of the intense connection they once had, addressing the other person as "simple name" instead of the endearing "baby" they used to use. The intimacy they once shared is now limited to "only kisses on the cheek", and they know that soon enough, they will have to part ways entirely.
The bridge represents a turning point in the speaker's emotional journey. They recognize that they have been standing in the way of their own progress and that it's time to move on. They have finally accepted that this relationship is not worth holding onto and are "giving up on you". The chorus repeats once more, solidifying the speaker's decision to let go of their past lover and move forward.
Love Ridden
Fiona Apple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the focus I gave to my birthday candles
I've wished on the lidded blue flames under your brow
And, baby, I wished for you
Nobody sees when you are lyin' in your bed
And I wanna crawl in with you but I cry instead
I want your warm, but it will only make me colder when it's over
So I can't tonight, baby
No, not "baby" anymore
If I need you, I'll just use your simple name
Only kisses on the cheek from now on
And in a little while we'll only have to wave
My hand won't hold you down no more
The path is clear to follow through
I stood too long in the way of the door
And now I'm giving up on
You
No, not "baby" anymore
If I need you, I'll just use your simple name
Only kisses on the cheek from now on
And in a little while we'll only have to wave
No, not "baby" anymore
If I need you, I'll just use your simple name
Only kisses on the cheek from now on
And in a little while we'll only have to wave
In "Love Ridden," Fiona Apple mourns the loss of love while acknowledging her own emotional pain. The first verse shows how deeply she longs to be with someone she loves, a feeling she likens to the intensity of blowing out birthday candles. The second verse expresses the heart-wrenching experience of lying in one's bed alone, crying over someone who is no longer there. She wants their warmth, but knows that it will only make her feel worse once it's over. Therefore, she chooses not to be with them, saying "So I can't tonight, baby."
The chorus of the song emphasizes the ways in which the relationship has changed, as Fiona slips from calling the person "baby" to using their "simple name" and eventually only expecting "kisses on the cheek." She resigns herself to the relationship's end when she sings, "And in a little while we'll only have to wave."
The final verse seals the ending of the relationship as she declares, "No, not 'baby' anymore," and affirms that she is moving on. She recalls the moments when she got in the way of the door, and implies that now, she is ok with letting it close. In the end, "Love Ridden" showcases the complexities of love and the depth of the emotions associated with its loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Love ridden, I've looked at you
I have looked at you with the same intensity and concentration as I do my birthday candles when making a wish.
With the focus I gave to my birthday candles
I have focused on you with the same level of attention that I give to my birthday candles.
I've wished on the lidded blue flames under your brow
I have made wishes on the imaginary blue flames that I see under your forehead and your brows.
And, baby, I wished for you
Through those blue flames, I have wished for you, my love.
Nobody sees when you are lyin' in your bed
When you are in bed and lying down, no one else can see what you are going through or how you feel.
And I wanna crawl in with you but I cry instead
I want to join you in bed, but instead, all I can do is cry as I am unable to get close to you.
I want your warm, but it will only make me colder when it's over
I long for the warmth and closeness of being with you, but I know that it will only make my loneliness and pain worse when our time together ends.
So I can't tonight, baby
Therefore, I cannot be with you tonight, my love.
No, not "baby" anymore
I no longer call you 'baby'.
If I need you, I'll just use your simple name
In the future, if I require your help, I will call you by your ordinary name rather than a nickname.
Only kisses on the cheek from now on
From now on, our encounters will only involve a peck on the cheek.
And in a little while we'll only have to wave
Soon enough, we will only have to wave at each other as a means of greeting.
My hand won't hold you down no more
I will no longer try to hold you down or keep you with me.
The path is clear to follow through
You are now free to go your own way and follow your own path.
I stood too long in the way of the door
I have stood in the way of your exit for too long and prevented you from leaving.
And now I'm giving up on you
It is time for me to let you go and move on.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Fiona Apple Maggart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind