Direct Address
Lucy Dacus Lyrics
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I feel short in the exchange- I show you mine you walk away.
I'm wearing mine out on my sleeve, you're wearing yours where I can't see,
but I'll remember your face for years to come
and wonder what you thought about when you got home.
Honestly is like a kiss on the lips.
Come closer and I'll tell you exactly how it is.
but if I see you smile, it's gonna knock me dead.
I'm stiff in my tracks trying to recover
from whatever drug you used to put me under.
I don't believe in love at first sight.
I don't believe in love at first sight.
It's hard enough for me to not fall in love with every person I see.
I let my mind get turned inside out
just to see what the kids were laughing about.
It wasn't worth understanding something
I could've gone my whole life not knowing.
You know what they say about curiosity.
That murderer had his chokehold on me.
I ran away without looking back,
but every now and then I want what I can't have.
I'm still thinking of a man from years ago-
eyes open wide in the front row,
dark features, leaning on the doorframe.
I would've sold my soul to know his first name.
I don't believe in love at first sight.
I don't believe in love at first sight.
I don't believe in love at first sight.
Maybe I would if you looked at me right.
The song "Direct Address" by Lucy Dacus is about unrequited love and the struggles that come with it. The first verse starts with the unfairness of the situation: the singer is in love with someone, but they are not reciprocating those feelings. The line, "I'm wearing mine out on my sleeve, you're wearing yours where I can't see," refers to how the singer is displaying their emotions freely while the other person is hiding their own feelings. The singer remembers the other person, wondering what they were thinking about when they got home. In the chorus, the singer admits to being honest with themselves and others, but it's difficult to move on when they see the other person's smile.
The second and third verses reveal the singer's curiosity and desire to understand the object of their affection. They admit to letting their mind get turned inside out just to understand what the person they like found funny. However, they ultimately realize that sometimes understanding something is not worth the trouble. The final verse mentions the memory of a man from years ago and how the singer would have sold their soul to know their first name. The song concludes with the admission that love at first sight may be possible if only the right person were to look at the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
You know it's unfair that I am here and you are there.
I feel a deep sense of unfairness that the circumstances have put us in different places, and it hurts.
I feel short in the exchange- I show you mine you walk away.
In our previous interaction, I shared a part of myself with you, but you didn't reciprocate, and it feels like you rejected me.
I'm wearing mine out on my sleeve, you're wearing yours where I can't see, but I'll remember your face for years to come and wonder what you thought about when you got home.
I'm an open book, and I let people see all of me, but you are more reserved. Your external persona is a mystery to me, but I can't shake off the memory of our encounter and keep thinking about you.
Honestly is like a kiss on the lips. Come closer and I'll tell you exactly how it is. Now I'm barely breathing, I'm moving ahead, but if I see you smile, it's gonna knock me dead.
I value honesty above everything, and if you were truthful with me, it would mean the world to me. But in your mere presence, I'm still smitten, and your smile could make me fall all over again.
I'm stiff in my tracks trying to recover from whatever drug you used to put me under.
Your charm and charisma have affected me strongly, and I can't seem to shake it off or think of anything else.
I don't believe in love at first sight. I don't believe in love at first sight. It's hard enough for me to not fall in love with every person I see.
I'm a romantic at heart, but I'm cautious of the concept of love at first sight. Still, I can't help but feel attracted to almost everyone.
I let my mind get turned inside out just to see what the kids were laughing about. It wasn't worth understanding something I could've gone my whole life not knowing.
I often find myself getting caught up in trying to understand things I know I shouldn't or needn't. They might not bear any significance, but I can't shake off the curiosity.
You know what they say about curiosity. That murderer had his chokehold on me. I ran away without looking back, but every now and then I want what I can't have.
Curiosity might have killed the cat, but it is also a driving force. It leads me to places I didn't expect, and it's thrilling. Even though I know I shouldn't pursue certain things, I still feel the pull.
I'm still thinking of a man from years ago- eyes open wide in the front row, dark features, leaning on the doorframe. I would've sold my soul to know his first name.
There's this person I encountered years ago, who I can't shake off from my mind. I remember every detail about him, and it's frustrating that I never knew his name or could see him again.
I don't believe in love at first sight. I don't believe in love at first sight. I don't believe in love at first sight. Maybe I would if you looked at me right.
I'm still not sure about love at first sight, but if you're the one, maybe I could believe it. The only condition is that you give me the right signals and look at me with love.
Contributed by Elijah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.