Shadowboxer
Fiona Apple Lyrics

Once my lover, now my friend
It is painful to pretend that the relationship has transformed from lovers to just friends.

What a cruel thing to pretend
It's a cruel and torturous way to discuss the shift from lovers to friends.

What a cunning way to condescend
The approach of pretending to be friends is ingenious but also undermines the emotions involved in the previous relationship.

Once my lover, and now my friend
The situation of being ex-lover and now friend still hurts.

Oh, you creep up like the clouds
The person in question has a tendency to come back into her life like dark clouds.

And you set my soul at ease
Despite the pain, being with this person brings a sense of comfort.

Then you let your love abound
However, the love they had becomes overwhelming.

And you bring me to my knees
Being around this person leaves Fiona feeling weak and powerless to resist them.

Oh, it's evil babe
She recognizes that their approach is manipulative and calculating.

The way you let your grace enrapture me
Fiona recognizes their charm is captivating and impossible to resist.

When well you know I'd be insane
Fiona realizes that giving in to this person's advances would be to her own detriment.

To ever let that dirty game recapture me
Fiona refers to their relationship as a dirty game that she cannot afford to be a part of anymore.

You made me a shadowboxer, baby
Fiona has become an expert in avoiding the traps and attacks of this person.

I wanna be ready for what you do
She is prepared to deal with whatever games this person will attempt to play.

Well I've been swinging around me
Fiona is constantly on guard and ready to fight back.

'Cause I don't know when you're gonna make your move
She is unsure when this person will try to ensnare her again.

Oh, your gaze is dangerous
The other person's gaze is intense and dangerous.

And you fill your space so sweet
This person creates an enticing and almost irresistible environment around themselves.

If I let you get too close
Fiona is aware that getting too close to this person would be dangerous and potentially devastating.

You'll set your spell on me
She knows that giving in to this person's desires will effectively trap her again.

So darlin' I just wanna say
Fiona wants to make it clear to this person that she is wise to their schemes.

Just in case I don't come through
She hopes she can resist this person's charms, but wants to warn them that it might not work out that way.

I was onto every play
Fiona has been paying close attention to this person's tactics and strategies.

I just wanted you
However, despite knowing the dangers, she still wants to be with this person.

Oh it's so evil, my love
Fiona recognizes the danger and evil nature of this person's approach to love.

The way you've no reverence to my concern
This person shows no respect for Fiona's well-being, concerns, or feelings.

So I'll be sure to stay wary of you, love
Fiona is determined to keep her guard up whenever this person is around.

To save the pain of once my flame and twice my burn
She wants to avoid getting hurt again and again by this person.

Yeah I'm a shadowboxer, baby
Fiona sees herself as someone who's accustomed to dodging this person's attacks.

I wanna be ready for what you do
She wants to be ready for anything that this person will try to do to her.

And I been swinging around me
She's been moving and dodging, trying to stay one step ahead of this person.

'Cause I don't know when you'll make your move
She knows that this person is constantly looking for an opportunity to pounce on her.