Distance
Hannah Gill Lyrics
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I can hear you dreaming
do you feel the way I do, right now?
I wish we would just give up
'cause the best part is falling
calling it anything but love
and I will make sure to keep my distance
say "I love you" when you're not listening
please don't stand so close to me, I'm having trouble breathing
I'm afraid of what you'll see, right now
I'll give you everything I am
all my broken heartbeats
until I know you'll understand
and I will make sure to keep my distance
say "I love you" when you're not listening
how long can we keep this up, up, up?
and I keep waiting for you to take me
you keep waiting to say what we have
so I'll make sure to keep my distance
say "I love you" when you're not listening
how long can we keep this up, up, up?
make sure to keep my distance
say "I love you" when you're not listening
how long until we call this love, love, love?
In Hannah Gill's song "Distance", the singer is contemplating their feelings for someone who may not reciprocate those same feelings or may not even be aware of them. The sun is filling up the room and the singer can hear the other person, who is presumably sleeping, dreaming. The singer wonders if the other person feels the same way, but acknowledges that they may be in denial and avoiding calling it love.
The singer wishes they could give up on this unspoken love and just enjoy the initial falling in love phase, but they are aware that they need to keep their distance and refrain from expressing their feelings until they are certain the other person feels the same. The line "please don't stand so close to me, I'm having trouble breathing" emphasizes the singer's anxiety and fear of revealing too much too soon.
The chorus repeats the idea of keeping a distance and saying "I love you" when the other person is not listening. The singer admits that they are waiting for the other person to make a move, but the other person is also waiting for something to happen. The song ends with the question of how long until they can call it love.
Overall, "Distance" is a bittersweet song about unrequited love and the struggle to navigate those emotions without ruining a potential relationship or risking rejection. The lyrics are relatable and the melody is catchy, making it a popular song amongst fans of indie pop and folk music.
Line by Line Meaning
sun is filling up the room
The bright light from the sun is illuminating the room
I can hear you dreaming
I am able to perceive the sounds of your sleep
do you feel the way I do, right now?
Are you experiencing the same emotions as I am at this moment?
I wish we would just give up
I hope we decide to end things soon
'cause the best part is falling
The most exciting part is the beginning of the relationship when feelings are growing
calling it anything but love
Refusing to use the word 'love' to describe our feelings
and I will make sure to keep my distance
I will make a conscious effort to avoid becoming too close
say "I love you" when you're not listening
Expressing my love without your knowledge or presence
how long can we keep this up, up, up?
For how much longer will we be able to continue with this situation?
please don't stand so close to me, I'm having trouble breathing
I am uncomfortable when you are too near as it affects my ability to breathe easily
I'm afraid of what you'll see, right now
I am worried about how you will perceive me in this moment
I'll give you everything I am
I will offer you my everything
all my broken heartbeats
The beats of my heart that are damaged from past experiences
until I know you'll understand
Until I am confident that you will comprehend the magnitude of my feelings
and I keep waiting for you to take me
I continue to anticipate that you will initiate a relationship with me
you keep waiting to say what we have
You are waiting for the perfect time to define our relationship
make sure to keep my distance
Ensure that I maintain my distance
say "I love you" when you're not listening
Express my love while you are not present
how long until we call this love, love, love?
When will we finally label our relationship as love
Contributed by Leah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.