Virginia Slim
The Arcs Lyrics

The lyrics to The Arcs’s song ‘Virginia Slim’ revolves around a protagonist who is pining for an unrequited love. They wait for the person ‘by the light of the moon’ and observe them from afar, even though the other person can’t see them. The singer feels that the other person is not truly alone, as they are ‘all on [their] own.’ They remember seeing something in the other person in the past, possibly a flaw (represented by ‘stickle’) that is still present.

The repetition of ‘I’m watching you, keep on watching you’ in the chorus suggests a sense of obsession, as the singer keeps watching the other person even though they cannot be with them. The second verse gives some hope to the singer’s feelings, as they believe that one day they could rise to the other person’s attention and love could blossom. However, they also acknowledge that there might come a time when they have to leave the other person alone.

Overall, the lyrics to ‘Virginia Slim’ portray a sense of longing and obsession, with the singer hoping that their love will one day be reciprocated. The use of the moon as a symbol of longing and the repetition of ‘I’m watching you’ create a haunting atmosphere that emphasises the unattainable nature of the other person.