I Die
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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I die when you walk by
So beautiful and strong
Each day you pass my way
In your bubble where nothing goes wrong

You think your youth
A permanent truth
But here is a tear for your eye:
Having forgotten how to cry




I die

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields' song "I Die" is a poignant reflection on the intense emotions of unrequited love. The lyrics describe the singer's experience of being so deeply enamored with someone that their mere presence sends them into a state of emotional turmoil. The first line alone sets the tone of the song: "I die when you walk by." This hyperbolic statement encapsulates the singer's overwhelming feelings. The object of their affection is "so beautiful and strong," and embodies all the qualities they find most captivating. However, the singer is aware that they are trapped in a one-sided relationship, as the object of their love remains happily ensconced in their own "bubble where nothing goes wrong."


The second verse contains one of the most striking images in the song: "You think your youth / A permanent truth / But here is a tear for your eye / Having forgotten how to cry / I die." This passage speaks to the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, and the singer's wistful recognition that their beloved will one day face the same struggles and hardships that beset us all. The key phrase here is "having forgotten how to cry." This line is a poignant reminder that emotional vulnerability is a key component of being human, and that our ability to feel deeply and express those feelings is what makes life worth living. The singer is both mourning the loss of their own emotional connection to this person, and lamenting the fact that their beloved has lost touch with this vital aspect of their humanity.


In conclusion, "I Die" is a deeply affecting song that captures the complex emotions of unrequited love in a truly poetic and profound way. The Magnetic Fields' understated instrumentation and Stephin Merritt's plaintive vocals serve to enhance the raw emotional power of the song, leaving the listener with a sense of both longing and catharsis.


Line by Line Meaning

I die when you walk by
My heart beats faster and I feel a strong, overwhelming emotion every time I see you walking by


So beautiful and strong
You possess an unparalleled level of beauty and inner strength that captivates me and makes me feel weak in the knees


Each day you pass my way
You cross my path every day, making it hard for me to forget about you and move on


In your bubble where nothing goes wrong
You seem to live in a perfect bubble, where everything goes smoothly and nothing seems to bother you, at least not as much as I am bothered by my unrequited love for you


You think your youth
You seem to believe that your youth is something that will last forever, that nothing can taint it or take it away from you


A permanent truth
You seem to think that your youth is an everlasting truth, that nothing can change, no matter what you do or what happens around you


But here is a tear for your eye:
But I can see through your facade, and feel sorry for you, because you are unable to see the world through my eyes, a world where nothing is as perfect as it seems


Having forgotten how to cry
You have forgotten how to feel sorrow or pain, maybe because you have never experienced it, or maybe because you are too afraid to show your vulnerability


I die
My love for you is so strong, that it is slowly killing me, with each passing day, without you knowing or caring




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Stephin Raymond Merritt

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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