Willow
JJ 72 Lyrics
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In the garden
Of my savior
As the parasol
Gently shades her
I can't see you
When I want to
With our old lives
Left behind us
We are new now
Oh yeah
Only way I want to be
Only thing I want to see
Only way I want to live
Only one I want to love
Only way I want to be
Only one I want to see
Only way I want to live
Only one I want to love
By the old wood
Burning
In the garden
As the moths fly
Through the flames
Like our little harlem
I can't see you
When I want to
Where I am now
With our old lives
Left behind us
We are new now
Oh yeah
Only way I want to be
Only one I want to see
Only way I want to live
Only one I want to love
Only way I want to be
Only one I want to see
Only way I want to live
Only one I want to love
The first verse of JJ 72's song "Willow" takes place in a serene setting - a garden - as the singer watches someone they love being shaded by a parasol. The singer feels as though they are unable to see this person at the moment when they want to, which implies a feeling of longing or distance. The second verse takes place in a slightly different setting - a garden with an "old wood burning" where moths fly through the flames "like our little harlem." This line is interesting in its ambiguity, and could imply that the singer finds something dangerous or destructive about their love, or that they find beauty even in the midst of destruction.
The chorus repeats the same phrase four times, emphasizing the singer's singular focus on this person - they only want to be with them, see them, live with them, and love them. This creates a sense of tunnel vision or obsession, which could be seen as either sweet or concerning, depending on how the listener interprets it.
Overall, "Willow" seems to be a song about intense, singular love, with ambiguous hints of danger and destruction. The garden setting, with its natural beauty and cycles of growth and decay, further emphasizes the theme of transformation and rebirth that is present both in this song and in many of JJ 72's other works.
Line by Line Meaning
By the bright leaves in the garden of my savior as the parasol gently shades her
The singer is observing someone they admire in a tranquil garden setting, protected from the sun by a parasol made of leaves.
I can't see you when I want to where I am now
Despite their longing, the singer cannot be with the person they desire because of their current situation.
With our old lives left behind us we are new now oh yeah
Both the singer and the desired person have left their past behind, and have entered a new chapter of their lives to start afresh.
Only way I want to be, only thing I want to see, only way I want to live, only one I want to love
The artist emphasizes their strong desire for this person, making it clear that they are the only thing they want in life.
By the old wood burning in the garden as the moths fly through the flames like our little harlem
The artist watches nature's dance around a burning fire, comparing it to their own experience of being tangled up in the chaotic, picturesque life of their community.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: NANCY RUMBEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nmorris905able
Listened to this song over and over 12yrs ago and still remember all the words. Beautiful. My little harlem
@edskan79
Arguably the most beautiful song ever written
@Nelob00b
I saw the album for sale as a refurb in Poundland yesterday and it made me a sad panda. I used to listen to the whole album every day on the bus to college in 2000, its kinda sad they didn't get as big as other bands but it is still great that the (apparently few) of us that listened to the album and loved it still love it :)
@NannaShanna
I was 15 in 2000 - I saw them at the london astoria. i really do still love this band. this album. wow. still there.
@HopeVJustice
One of the most beautiful love songs ever! (: <3
@crank01
this was, for me, the best song on an incredible album, i was 18 when this came out in 2000 i think. i loved it. it's a real shame they never made it big....
@dpchaldon
Stunning stunning song writing & beautifully composed
@benbritton1984
great band that deserved more recognition.
@rachananaluvsbananas
Best song ever!
@andrewbuckley2350
im a massive james fan ,,willow what a fecking tune