Never Enough
Kubla Khan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You looked disappointed when I didn't bring back the sky
It was never enough, it was never enough for you
Tied to your stake your flames heated up my skin
But it was never enough, never enough for you
Right on I'm gladly on my way
I'm gone but I really hate to stay
I feel sorry for the man who's next in line
The death sentence of "honey I'm glad you're mine"
It was never enough, never enough for you
Right on I'm gladly on my way
I'm gone but I really hate to stay
Right on I'm gladly on my way but I wish, that you would stay.
It was never enough, never enough for you
The lyrics of Kubla Khan's song Never Enough explore the theme of a toxic and controlling relationship. The first two lines reveal how the singer is blindly obedient to their partner's demands - they jump and ask how high. However, their efforts are futile, and their partner is always left disappointed. The third line sums up the underlying message of the song - no matter how much effort the singer puts in, it is never enough to satisfy their partner's insatiable needs.
The second stanza delves deeper into the destructive nature of the relationship. The singer is tied to their partner's stake, and their flames of passion "heat up their skin." The mention of a scarlet letter on their sweater alludes to the idea of the singer being marked and shamed for their perceived wrongdoings. The chorus repeats the central message of the song, emphasizing how the singer's actions are never enough to please their partner.
Towards the end of the song, the singer seems to have had enough and declares that they are gladly on their way, but they feel sorry for the next person who will be in their place. The mention of the "death sentence of honey I'm glad you're mine" paints an ominous picture of how the singer is trapped in a relationship that has turned into a prison. Ultimately, the lyrics of Never Enough serve as a cautionary tale to those who find themselves in relationships where their efforts are unappreciated and undervalued.
Line by Line Meaning
You said Jump and I jumped and you asked how high?
I always obliged to your commands and followed them loyally without questioning you
You looked disappointed when I didn't bring back the sky
Even though I tried my best, my efforts were never good enough and you often showed your dissatisfaction
It was never enough, it was never enough for you
No matter what I did or how much I gave, it was never sufficient or satisfactory for you
Tied to your stake your flames heated up my skin
Your control over me was suffocating and caused me pain and distress
Your scarlet letter on my sweater told me of my sin
I was constantly reminded of my flaws and mistakes through your criticism and judgment
But it was never enough, never enough for you
My attempts to please you and meet your expectations were always in vain, as they were never satisfactory
Right on I'm gladly on my way
I am happy to move on and leave this toxic relationship behind
I'm gone but I really hate to stay
Although I have left, I still feel trapped and unhappy in the memories of our relationship
I feel sorry for the man who's next in line
I have empathy for the next person who becomes involved with you and will have to endure the same struggles as I did
The death sentence of "honey I'm glad you're mine"
Being in a relationship with you feels like a punishment and a burden rather than something to be celebrated
It was never enough, never enough for you
The constant need for perfection and flawlessness in order to please you was a never-ending cycle that was impossible to fulfill
Right on I'm gladly on my way
I am still happy and relieved to have left this relationship behind
I'm gone but I really hate to stay
Even though I am physically removed from the relationship, the emotional and mental scars still linger
Right on I'm gladly on my way but I wish, that you would stay.
Even though I have moved on, there is still a part of me that wishes you were still here, despite the hurt you caused
It was never enough, never enough for you
The overarching theme of the song is the impossibility of fulfilling the expectations and demands of an unpleasable partner
Contributed by Elizabeth J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.