In the Pitchfork interview, Lindsey revealed:
"The song “Valentine” used to be called “Adore You,” but then I came up with that chorus—“Why’d you wanna erase me, darling valentine?”—and I knew the record would be called Valentine. I was like, “Oh, that’s heartbreaking, that’s so Snail Mail.”
The song’s demo was originally titled “Adore You,” which Jordan described in an episode of NPR’s “All Songs Considered” podcast as “super emotional and slow,” and lacking the chorus of the final version.
Lindsey Jordan:
"I was shopping around ideas for the record long before there was one, just wanting to put a title to the thing to maybe give it a start—like if there’s just an overarching vibe, then I can start to make things. It’s such a heartbreaking thing, referring to someone as your valentine in a love-lost type of way, because I just think there’s nothing more tender and innocent. I just think the hurt there is pretty relatable, and when I came up with ‘darling, valentine’, it kicked me in the guts in a way that felt right for the entire thing. I just knew immediately that the record was going to be called Valentine."
—via Apple Music
Valentine
Snail Mail Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where no one can see us, honey
Careful in that room
Those parasitic cameras, don't they stop to stare at you
Can't love for us both
You've gotta live and I gotta go
As long as it's us two
So why'd you wanna erase me, darling valentine?
He'll always know where to find me when you change your mind
I'd hate to picture someone with you
I'll lay down and start to cry
You won't believe what just two months do
I'm older now, believe me, I adore you
So why'd you wanna erase me, darling valentine?
He'll always know where to find me when you change your mind
So why'd you wanna erase me, darling valentine?
No, I can't hate you
I'd ruin me for you
Blame me if you need to
But I adore you
I adore you
I adore you
I adore you
In Snail Mail's song "Valentine," the singer expresses a desire for intimacy and privacy away from prying eyes. She wants to be alone with her lover in a room where they cannot be watched by cameras. Despite her intense feelings for her partner, she knows that they cannot be together at all times and that they both need to live their own lives. She expresses her fear of being forgotten by her lover, but ultimately believes that they were meant to be together.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's confusion as to why her lover would want to erase her--to forget about her--even though she believes they are meant to be together. The line "He'll always know where to find me when you change your mind" suggests that her lover is moving on and may come back to her in the future. The singer admits to feeling jealous of anyone who may be with her lover now that they are apart, but also acknowledges that time has passed and she has grown older and more mature.
The song's lyrics are full of complex emotions and introspection. The singer grapples with the difficulty of loving someone who cannot always be with her and the fear of being forgotten. She also acknowledges the pain of heartbreak and the difficulty of moving on from a past relationship. The song's wistful melody conveys a sense of yearning that perfectly complements the introspective lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's go be alone
Let’s get away from everyone else and spend some alone time together.
Where no one can see us, honey
Let’s go somewhere private where we can be alone without anyone watching us.
Careful in that room
Be cautious in the room we’re going to because there might be hidden cameras.
Those parasitic cameras, don't they stop to stare at you
Those annoying cameras just won’t stop staring at you, it’s like they’re feeding on us.
Can't love for us both
One of us can’t love for the both of us, we each have to express our own love.
You've gotta live and I gotta go
You have to live your own life and I have to go on with mine.
As long as it's us two
As long as we’re together, nothing else matters.
Fuck being remembered, I think I was made for you
I don’t care about being remembered, I feel like I was created specifically for you.
So why'd you wanna erase me, darling valentine?
Why do you want to forget about me, my dear Valentine?
He'll always know where to find me when you change your mind
If you ever change your mind, he’ll know where to find me.
I'd hate to picture someone with you
Just the thought of someone else being with you makes me upset.
I'll lay down and start to cry
I’ll lay down and cry because the mere thought of you being with someone else is too much to bear.
You won't believe what just two months do
You wouldn’t believe how much has changed between us in just two months.
I'm older now, believe me, I adore you
I’ve matured and grown since we first met, and I still love and adore you.
No, I can't hate you
I can’t bring myself to hate you.
I'd ruin me for you
I’d do anything for you even if it meant ruining myself.
Blame me if you need to
If you need someone to blame, you can blame me.
But I adore you
Despite everything, I still love and cherish you.
I adore you
I love and adore you very much.
I adore you
My love for you runs deep, I adore you.
I adore you
I can’t stress this enough - I really, truly adore you.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Lindsey Jordan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roger l
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Let's go be alone
Where no one can see us, honey
Careful in that room
Those parasitic cameras, don't they stop to stare at you
[Verse 2]
Can't love for us both
You've gotta live and I gotta go
As long as it's us two
Fuck being remembered, I think I was made for you
[Chorus]
So why'd you wanna erase me, darling valentine?
You always know where to find me when you change your mind
[Verse 3]
I'd hate to picture someone with you
I'll lay down and start to cry
You won't believe what just two months do
I'm older now, believe mе, I adore you
[Chorus]
So why'd you wanna erase mе, darling valentine?
You always know where to find me when you change your mind
So why'd you wanna erase me, darling valentine?
[Outro]
No, I can't hate you
I'd ruin me for you
Blame me if you need to
But I adore you
I adore you
I adore you
I adore you
Veronica
i loove snail mail. this song is so good!
this left me curious, confused, captivated… im still not sure … but i love that about it! i keep rewatching
this video feels like it would fit really well on an mtv morning music video block or vh1 top 20 countdown in the aughts ala mr brightside(killers), she will be loved (maroon5) stolen(dashboard confessional) etc. not in the sound, but in the energy and the melodrama of the plot.
im not super in the loop for music videos so i cant say with certainty but it feels really uncommon for music videos as of late to have this kind of direction. its so nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
i rly do wish it would be on one of those music video hours playing every 30 minutes heh. especially cause itdve been so cool to see something so gay like this lol! gahh im just such a fan.
also, i cant gauge if being 26 would make me an “oldest person at this show” or not but either way ill b there.. she fuckin shreds.
Jessica Preston
Her voice when she sings “you won’t believe what just two months do, I’m older now believe me, I adore you” is SO good. Gives me chills. I love this song so much and can’t wait to hear more new stuff!
Mario Semiglia
My favorite part!
hanhyeongjun
this song is so emotional my ghad!
Nick Wood
same and that's exactly how I feel
Cape Flattery
I love that line, along with "I ruined me for you."
daniel holden
Yes! That exact line is so vulnerable and relatable. Gives me chills also.
Cartography Cards
They seem like good friends :)
Welcome back Lindsey!!!!
Ryan
they were roommates
francisca93correia
Such a beautiful friendship
Matthew Smith
@Ryan omg they were roommates