Queer pop artist Jesse Saint John began his professional musical career as … Read Full Bio ↴Queer pop artist Jesse Saint John began his professional musical career as a songwriter for Britney Spears and Charli XCX, building up a résumé that helped him launch a recording career in 2008 with the single "Move." A native of Orange County, California, Saint John was into music and theater while he was in high school. When he was old enough to leave home, he moved to Los Angeles to begin his musical career. In 2013, he co-wrote "Cloud Aura," which appeared on Charli XCX's True Romance album; she'd later cut "Secret (Shh)," another number he co-wrote, in 2016.

Signing a publishing deal with Sony Music, Saint John became a songwriter and creative director for Sony Music Entertainment in January 2015. His first major song placement was "Love Me Down" on Britney Spears' 2016 Glory album. The following year, he placed songs on albums by Andy Grammer and New Kids on the Block. In 2018, he co-wrote "Something's Gotta Give," which was recorded by Camila Cabello, but he also launched his recording career early that year. After co-writing "Move" at a writer's retreat, he soon realized it was the ideal vehicle for his debut as a solo artist. "Move" appeared in February 2018 on We Are: The Guard.

Move
Jesse Saint John Lyrics

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I must be a masochist to love you
'Cause you'll never come around
Waiting by the exit for you
Light a cigarette to put it out

I try and I try and I try and I try
To tell you tonight
But you grab me and grind

Every time you shake that
I forget to say no
I should probably lay low
You make me
Tic tac toe
I wanna hit that
I should probably sit back
You make me

God you're such a narcissist
You might as well be dancing with yourself
Jerking me around but too much jerking
Can't be too good for your health

I try and I try and I try and I try
To tell you tonight
But you grab me and grind

Every time you shake that
I forget to say no
I should probably lay low
You make me
Tic tac toe
I wanna hit that
I should probably sit back
You make me
Mo-o-ove
You make me wanna move
Mo-o-ove
You make me wanna move
Tick tack
Oh, I wanna hit that
I should probably sit back
You make me

Baby, do that thing
You make me M-O-V-E
When I do that thing
I make you M-O-V-E
Baby, do that thing
So we can M-O-V-E
Baby, you make me mo-o-ove

Every time you shake that
I forget to say no
I should probably lay low
You make me
Tic tac toe
I wanna hit that
I should probably sit back
You make me
Mo-o-ove
You make me wanna move
Mo-o-ove
You make me wanna move
Tick tack
Oh, I wanna hit that

I should probably sit back
You make me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jesse Saint John's song "Move" seem to be about someone who is in love with someone who doesn't love them back in the same way. The persona recognizes that waiting for this person is inexplicably painful, but they continue to do so anyway. They are aware that they're in a toxic cycle and that the object of their affection is a narcissist. They acknowledge that they continue to pursue this person even though it's not good for their health.

Every time the persona sees their love interest, they forget their resolve to move on and say no to them. The persona should probably lay low and resist the temptation to pursue someone who doesn't love them back, but they can't help it. The love interest makes them feel a certain way and completely consumes their thoughts.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase, "You make me wanna move" over and over. This can suggest two possible interpretations. The first is that the love interest is so magnetic and captivating that the persona feels like they're moving towards them without any control. The second is that the persona wants to move on from this toxic relationship and find someone who truly loves them back, but the love interest's pull is too strong.

Overall, the song seems to capture the bittersweet experience of being in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way. Despite the pain, the persona can't help but be attracted to the love interest and continues to chase them, hoping to one day be reciprocated.

Line by Line Meaning

I must be a masochist to love you
It hurts to love you because you never reciprocate

'Cause you'll never come around
Because you'll never show up

Waiting by the exit for you
I'm waiting for you to come

Light a cigarette to put it out
I try to distract myself by smoking

Every time you shake that
Whenever you dance seductively

I forget to say no
I can't resist you

I should probably lay low
I should avoid you

You make me Tic Tac Toe
You make me feel like I'm playing a game

I wanna hit that
I want to have sex with you

I should probably sit back
I should keep my distance

God you're such a narcissist
You're incredibly self-centered