The lines, "I'm amorous but out of reach/A still life drawing of a peach", further suggest that her love is unattainable. She is comparing herself to a still-life painting, which is an inanimate object that is rendered artistically but cannot act on its own. Apple also describes herself as a tulip in a cup, which means she has no chance of "growing up" or having a future with the person she loves.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I root for you, I love you", almost as if she is trying to convince herself that her love is enough. The reality is that it's not, and she knows it. Apple has made her peace with the situation, concluding that she is "dead, done", and resigned to sail on through life in the "wake of tales" of this person.
Valentine
Fiona Apple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sent it via pantomime
While you were watchin' someone else
I stared at you and cut myself
It's all I'll do 'cause I'm not free
A fugitive too dull too flee
I'm amorous but out of reach
I'm a tulip in a cup
I stand no chance of growing up
I've made my peace I'm dead, I'm done
I watch you live to have my fun
I root for you, I love you
You, you, you, you
I root for you, I love you
You, you, you, you
I made it to a dinner date
My teardrops seasoned every plate
I tried to dance but lost my nerve
I cramped up in the learning curve
I'm a tulip in a cup
I stand no chance of growing up
I'm resigned to sail on through
In the wake of tales of you
I root for you, I love you
You, you, you, you
I root for you, I love you
You, you, you
I root for you, I love you
You, you, you
You, you, you, you
I root for you, I love you
You, you, you
Fiona Apple's song "Valentine" is a poignant and emotional expression of unrequited love. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that their Valentine went unnoticed, sent via pantomime, while the person they love was distracted by someone else. The singer admits to self-harm, cutting themselves, as a way of coping with their unrequited love. They feel trapped and unable to escape their feelings, describing themselves as a fugitive that's too dull to flee. The singer recognizes that their love is unattainable, comparing themselves to a still-life drawing of a peach that can never change and grow.
The second verse describes the singer's attempt to move on and go on a date. However, they are unable to enjoy themselves, as their tears drop onto their plate, and they lose their nerve when trying to dance. They ultimately accept their fate and resign themselves to "sail on through" in the "wake of tales of you."
The repetitive chorus, "I root for you, I love you," highlights the singer's undying affection for their love interest. Despite their feelings being unreciprocated, the singer can't help but continue to hope and wish for the best for the person they love.
Overall, "Valentine" is a powerful and haunting portrayal of love that is unreturned. The singer's raw vulnerability and unwavering devotion make for a heartbreaking yet captivating song.
Line by Line Meaning
You didn't see my valentine
I expressed my love for you but you couldn't see it
I sent it via pantomime
I conveyed my feelings to you through actions and gestures
While you were watchin' someone else
You were busy giving attention to someone else
I stared at you and cut myself
I hurt myself because of the pain of seeing you with someone else
It's all I'll do 'cause I'm not free
I can only love you from afar because I'm not free to be with you
A fugitive too dull too flee
I'm too weak and powerless to run away from my feelings for you
I'm amorous but out of reach
I'm deeply in love with you but can't have you
A still life drawing of a peach
I'm like a painting of a fruit, beautiful but lifeless
I'm a tulip in a cup
I'm like a tulip in a small vase, with no room to grow or bloom
I stand no chance of growing up
I have no chance of maturing or moving on from my feelings for you
I've made my peace I'm dead, I'm done
I've accepted my inability to be with you and have given up hope
I watch you live to have my fun
I live vicariously through you and enjoy the mere sight of you
I root for you, I love you
I support you and deeply care for you
You, you, you, you
It's all about you
I made it to a dinner date
I managed to go on a date with you
My teardrops seasoned every plate
I cried profusely during the date and my tears fell into the food
I tried to dance but lost my nerve
I attempted to dance with you but was too nervous to follow through
I cramped up in the learning curve
I struggled to adapt and learn how to be with you
I'm resigned to sail on through
I'm accepting of the fact that I'll always be in love with you from afar
In the wake of tales of you
I'm still consumed by stories and rumors surrounding you
You, you, you
It's all about you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Fiona Apple Maggart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind