How Insensitive
Nancy Wilson Lyrics


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How insensitive, I must have seemed
When she told me that she loved me
How unmoved an' cold, I must have seemed
When she told me so sincerely

Why, she must have asked
Do I just turn an' stare in icy silence?
What was I to say
What can you say when a love affair is over?

Now, she's gone away
And I'm alone with a memory of her last look
Vague an' drawn an' sad, I see it still
All her heartbreak in that last look

How, she must have asked
Could I just turn an' stare in icy silence?
What was I to do
What can one do when a love affair is over?

What can you do
When a love affair is over?





It's over

Overall Meaning

Nancy Wilson's "How Insensitive" is a song that speaks to the aftermath of a failed love affair. It follows the perspective of a protagonist who didn't respond appropriately to his partner's confession of love, and it cost him the relationship. The lyrics depict the singer's regret over his actions and his realization of how insensitive and cold he must have seemed in that moment. He goes on to describe the emotions that his partner displayed during their last interaction, with a "vague and drawn and sad" expression that still haunts him.


The song asks rhetorical questions throughout, such as "Why did I just turn and stare in icy silence?" and "What can one do when a love affair is over?" These questions are never answered, leaving the listener to imagine the many things that one could have done differently in a failed relationship, but ultimately accepting that it is over.


The melancholic tone, sorrowful lyrics, and Wilson's stirring, evocative voice add to the poignant mood of the song. It is a reminder that sometimes, just being there and listening to someone you love is the most important thing you can do.


Line by Line Meaning

How insensitive, I must have seemed
I showed no empathy or care towards her when she confessed her love.


When she told me that she loved me
During a moment when she shared her love with me.


How unmoved an' cold, I must have seemed
I appeared emotionless and unfeeling when she expressed her love.


When she told me so sincerely
When she told me with true and genuine feelings.


Why, she must have asked
It's likely she wondered or questioned why I didn't respond with warmth or words.


Do I just turn an' stare in icy silence?
Did I simply turn and look at her with a cold and silent expression?


What was I to say
I didn't have any appropriate words to respond to her after the love affair ended.


What can you say when a love affair is over?
Nothing can be said or done to change the situation after a love affair has ended.


Now, she's gone away
After the love affair ended, she left and is no longer present in my life.


And I'm alone with a memory of her last look
I am currently by myself with only the memory of the last expression she gave me.


Vague an' drawn an' sad, I see it still
The expression was unclear and filled with melancholic sadness, but I still visualize it.


All her heartbreak in that last look
Her heartbreak at the end of our relationship was evident in her expression.


How, she must have asked
She was probably curious or questioning my response in some way.


Could I just turn an' stare in icy silence?
Did I simply look back at her with an unfeeling and cold expression?


What was I to do
I didn't know how to respond to the end of our relationship.


What can one do when a love affair is over?
There isn't anything that can be done when a love affair ends.


What can you do
There is nothing that can be done when a love affair is over.


When a love affair is over?
After a romance has ended.


It's over
The romance has ended with no hope of rekindling or continuing.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Norman Gimbel, Vinicius De Moraes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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