Language of Flowers were a 5-piece indie-pop band originally from Belfast i… Read Full Bio ↴Language of Flowers were a 5-piece indie-pop band originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland signed to San Francisco indie label Shelflife Records. As of 2006 its members are located in London, Manchester and Belfast. The band's sound is characteristic of the British C86 movement with heavy use of jangling Rickenbacker 12-string guitars, airy female vocals and bright pop melodies.

After recording a 4 track demo the band quickly signed to Shelflife and released their debut album Songs About You in 2004. The album was well received by international fanzines with reviews noting the band's classic indie pop influences from the aforementioned bands Field Mice and Heavenly as well as The Smiths, Comet Gain, The Go-Betweens and Lush.

The band spent 2005-2006 playing across the UK with other indie pop bands Camera Obscura, Trembling Blue Stars, Malcolm Middleton and Pipas as well as touring around Northern Europe.

They went on hiatus in 2007.

If It's Not You
Language of Flowers Lyrics

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I see you standing over there
Why won't you come on over
The way things work seems so unfair
I'm drunk but you're still sober
I wasted time on silly things
I've never felt my own way
I used to dream of wedding rings
I never felt my own so

But if I can't have you
I know what to do
I know where to go
To get over you
If it's not you (x4)

I've seen you holding hands with her
You told me it was over
I thought that you were just good friends
I've seen the way you hold her
Don't waste your time
She's not your type
I need to get my say in
She's been with all the boys I know
I know the games she's playing

But if I can't have you
I know what to do
I know where to go
To get over you
If it's not you (x4)

I've heard it all a million times please take me back I miss you
Still you don't seem to understand I've lost the will to kiss you
But still you'll take me in your arms
Send shivers down my spine
She's not afraid that nothings changed
She's not your ideal love now

But if I can't have you
I know what to do
I know where to go

To get over you
If it's not you (x4)

Overall Meaning

The Language of Flowers's song If It's Not You depicts a love triangle where the singer is deeply in love with someone who seems unattainable. The lyrics convey the frustration of the singer as they observe the person they love being with someone else. The lines "I see you standing over there, why won't you come on over?" and "I've seen you holding hands with her, you told me it was over" show the singer's desperation to be with the person they love.

The song also talks about the singer's realization of their wasted time and how they used to dream of a future with the person they love. However, the singer comes to terms with the fact that if they can't have their love, they know how to move on and get over them.

Overall, the song expresses the pain, confusion, and eventual acceptance of unrequited love.

Line by Line Meaning

I see you standing over there
I notice your presence in the distance

Why won't you come on over
I wonder why you don't come closer to me

The way things work seems so unfair
Life seems unjust in its normal operations

I'm drunk but you're still sober
I've had too much alcohol to drink, but you remain clear-headed

I wasted time on silly things
I spent my valuable time on unimportant matters

I've never felt my own way
I was never confident in my own feelings

I used to dream of wedding rings
I once envisioned getting married

I never felt my own so
I never truly felt that desire for myself

But if I can't have you
Assuming I cannot be with you

I know what to do
I have a plan in mind

I know where to go
I know where to turn

To get over you
To move on from this attachment

If it's not you (x4)
If you're not the one

I've seen you holding hands with her
I observed you holding hands with another woman

You told me it was over
You claimed that our romantic relationship had ended

I thought that you were just good friends
I believed you were merely acquaintances

I've seen the way you hold her
I witnessed how affectionately you held her

Don't waste your time
I advise you not to squander your time

She's not your type
She isn't suitable for you

I need to get my say in
It's important that I voice my opinion

She's been with all the boys I know
She has had relationships with all of the men I know

I know the games she's playing
I understand her activities aimed to mislead or deceive

Still you don't seem to understand I've lost the will to kiss you
Despite my efforts to communicate, you don't realize that I no longer want to kiss you

I've heard it all a million times please take me back I miss you
You've pleaded with me countless times to take you back because you miss me

But still you'll take me in your arms
Still, you will embrace me

Send shivers down my spine
Your actions cause me to experience a thrilling or anxious sensation throughout my body

She's not afraid that nothings changed
She isn't worried that our relationship dynamic has altered

She's not your ideal love now
She isn't the perfect romantic partner for you at this moment

Contributed by Kayla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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