In the verses, the speaker describes the captivating nature of the person they are addressing. The comparison to honey suggests a slow and sensual movement, indicating a strong attraction. However, the speaker acknowledges that this person cannot fully understand or discern their true self, leading to a sense of distance and uncertainty.
The chorus reveals a big secret that the speaker possesses. This secret serves as a mechanism to entice and win the other person over, slowly but surely. The heaviness of the mood implies a weightiness to the emotional connections being formed, emphasizing the depth of the attraction.
In Verse 3, the speaker expresses the desire to be seen and acknowledged by the other person. They proclaim that they will invade the other person's demeanor, leaving an indelible mark on their thoughts and emotions. The person will wonder what it is about the speaker that makes them so compelling.
The bridge reflects on the power of dreams and fantasies in providing relief when reality feels distant. The speaker compares themselves to a bridge, attempting to close the gap between fantasy and reality, pulling the other person closer and blurring the boundaries between the two.
In Verse 4, the speaker contemplates the release of the other person, questioning whether they should let go or hold on. They are torn between the desire to satisfy their own story and the potential glory that awaits them. The final chorus returns to the big secret, emphasizing its impact on the other person's life. It will continue to linger, keeping them reaching for the speaker even when they are physically absent.
Overall, "Slow Like Honey" explores the complexities of attraction, power, and the struggle for emotional intimacy. It reveals the power dynamics at play between two individuals, as one person holds a mystique that entraps the other, leaving a lasting impression.
Slow Like Honey
Fiona Apple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, some old fires were burning
You came near to me and you endeared to me
But you couldn't quite discern me
Does that scare you? I'll let you run away
But your heart will not oblige you
You'll remember me like a melody
Yeah, I'll haunt the world inside you
And my big secret, gonna win you over
Slow like honey, heavy with mood
I'll let you see me, I'll covet your regard
I'll invade your demeanor
And you'll yield to me, like a scent in the breeze
And you'll wonder what it is about me
It's my big secret, keeping you coming
Slow like honey, heavy with mood
Though dreams can be deceiving
Like faces are to hearts
They serve for sweet relieving
When fantasy and reality lie too far apart
So I stretch myself across, like a bridge
And I pull you to the edge
And stand there waiting
Trying to attain
The end to satisfy the story
Shall I release you?
Must I release you?
As I rise to meet my glory
But my big secret
Gonna hover over your life
Gonna keep you reaching
When I'm gone like yesterday
When I'm high like heaven
When I'm strong like music
'Cause I'm slow like honey, and heavy with mood
Fiona Apple’s song Slow Like Honey is about a woman who is intrigued by a man who moves like honey in her dream. She reflects on her past relationship with him, admitting that while he endeared himself to her, he was unable to fully understand her. She offers to let him run away if he is afraid, but warns him that she will haunt him like a melody after he leaves. The woman then reveals that her big secret is that she will win him over slowly, like honey that is heavy with mood.
As the song progresses, the woman becomes more aggressive in her pursuit of the man. She promises to invade his demeanor and make him wonder what it is about her that draws him in. Despite acknowledging that dreams can be deceiving, the woman persists in trying to win the man over. She stretches herself across like a bridge, trying to pull him to the edge and stand there waiting. Finally, she admits that her big secret will hover over his life, keeping him reaching for her even after she’s gone.
One interpretation of the song is that it is about power dynamics in relationships. The woman is in control, working to win over the man using her cunning and seductive ways. She wants him to remember her, to be drawn to her even after they part ways. At the same time, however, she acknowledges that she has a big secret and that she is heavy with mood, indicating that she herself may not have control over her emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
You moved like honey in my dream last night
You appeared in my dream, moving slowly and irresistibly like honey which captivates my attention and intrigues me.
Yeah, some old fires were burning
I felt the heat of my past emotions, as some unresolved feelings or old passions were reignited.
You came near to me and you endeared to me
You approached me closely and became more attractive, likable, or charming to me.
But you couldn't quite discern me
However, you were unable to fully understand me or perceive my true nature, which may create distance or misunderstandings.
Does that scare you? I'll let you run away
If this uncertainty or lack of clarity makes you anxious or uncomfortable, I will allow you to escape or leave this situation.
But your heart will not oblige you
Despite your attempt to avoid or ignore it, your heart will still remember or be affected by me.
You'll remember me like a melody
I will be ingrained in your mind, like a catchy tune or memorable song that you cannot forget.
Yeah, I'll haunt the world inside you
I will have a profound impact on your psyche or inner world, and will continue to resonate within you even after our encounter ends.
And my big secret - gonna win you over
My significant undisclosed information or hidden quality will eventually impress or win your favor, allowing me to deeply affect you.
Slow like honey, heavy with mood
My approach and demeanor are gradual, languid, and evocative, creating a weighty, emotive atmosphere.
I'll let you see me, I'll covet your regard
I will reveal myself to you, desiring your attention, approval, or admiration.
I'll invade your demeanor
I will penetrate your stance, behavior, or demeanor, altering it to suit my intentions or influence.
And you'll yield to me, like a scent in the breeze
You will surrender to my allure or persuasion, like a gentle fragrance carried by the wind which captivates and guides you.
And you'll wonder what it is about me
You will be curious or puzzled by the enigmatic quality or captivating effect that I have on you.
It's my big secret - keeping you coming
It is my significant undisclosed information, quality, or personality trait that keeps you returning to me, fascinated and intrigued.
Though dreams can be deceiving
Although dreams may seem real or significant, they can also be misleading or illusory.
Like faces are to hearts
Similarly, appearances or expressions can be deceiving or hide one's true emotions or intentions.
They serve for sweet relieving
However, dreams can provide a soothing or pleasurable experience, as a temporary release from reality or stress.
When fantasy and reality lie too far apart
When the imagination or idealization of something does not align with the actuality or truth of it, it causes a disconnect or confusion.
So I stretch myself across, like a bridge
Therefore, I extend myself or my abilities, like a bridge connecting two distant points, to try to reconcile this conflict or gap.
And I pull you to the edge
I entice, draw, or tempt you towards the brink or border of this division, inviting you to explore or experience it.
And stand there waiting
I patiently or eagerly await your response, outcome, or decision in this liminal space.
Trying to attain
I endeavor to reach or achieve a certain result or goal in this situation.
The end to satisfy the story
I desire or pursue an ending or resolution to this narrative, in order to fulfill or satisfy it and put it to rest.
Shall I release you? Must I release you?
Should I let you go or break the connection between us, or am I obligated or compelled to do so?
As I rise to meet my glory
As I ascend or progress towards my own success, triumph, or greatness, I question my responsibility or duty to others.
But my big secret
Despite this uncertainty, my significant undisclosed information or hidden quality prevails and continues to influence or captivate.
Gonna hover over your life
It will loom or remain present in your existence, even after our encounter ends.
Gonna keep you reaching
It will motivate or inspire you to keep pursuing or seeking, preoccupying your mind and emotions.
When I'm gone like yesterday
Even when I am no longer physically present or accessible, it will still linger in your mind or memory like a past day.
When I'm high like heaven
When I am perceived as idealized, elevated, or sublime, it will still affect you powerfully.
When I'm strong like music
When I exert a strong, captivating, or emotional influence on you, like the power of music, it will continue to resonate with you.
'Cause I'm slow like honey, and heavy with mood
Because I move leisurely and heavily, creating a potent atmosphere or impression that remains within you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FIONA APPLE MAGGART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind