Matters of the Heart
Tracy Chapman Lyrics

I lose my head
I often act impulsively and without rational thought

From time to time
This happens occasionally, but not regularly

I make a fool of myself
I embarrass myself or act in an undignified manner

In matters of the heart
When it comes to love and relationships

We should have been holding each other
We missed an opportunity for physical intimacy

Instead we talked
We had a conversation instead of expressing our love physically

But I asked before
I already brought up the topic

Your reply was kind and polite
You responded compassionately and respectfully

One wants more
I desire something further or deeper

When one's denied
But that desire is unfulfilled and unsatisfied

I won't call it love
I am not sure if my feelings are truly love

But it feels good to have passion in my life
However, my current romantic passion brings me happiness

If there's a battle
If I am faced with a conflict or difficult decision

I hope my head always defers to my heart
I hope that I prioritize my emotions and intuition over rational thought

I guess I'm crazy to think
I recognize that my thoughts are irrational

I can give you what you don't want
I am aware that I cannot fulfill your desires

I made myself sick
My emotions have taken a toll on my physical health

I can't think of anything else
My thoughts are consumed by my romantic feelings

I can't sleep at night
My feelings keep me awake and restless

I wish that I had the power
I desire the ability to control my emotions

To make these feelings stop
To be free from my current romantic desires

I can't believe
I find it hard to accept

It's so hard to find someone
It is difficult to find a compatible romantic partner

To give affection to
To express love and caring towards

And from whom you can receive
And who reciprocates those feelings

I guess it's just the draw of the cards
It is simply a matter of luck and chance

You caught me off guard
You surprised me or acted unexpectedly

Somehow you reached me
You managed to connect with me emotionally

Where I thought I had nothing left inside
When I believed I had no more emotional capacity

I've learned my lesson I've been edified
I have gained knowledge and understanding from this experience

Where the sleeping dogs lie
Where problems or conflicts are left dormant or unaddressed

It feels so lonely
I feel isolated and disconnected

Once again I've left too much to chance
Once more, I neglected to take control or plan ahead

I'm feeling sorry for myself
I have self-pity and negativity towards my situation

It's quite a sight
My emotional state is obvious and dramatic

But I have you to thank
But I am grateful to you

For reminding me
For making me realize

We're all alone in this world
We all face isolation and loneliness at times

And in matters of the heart
Especially when it comes to love and relationships

I'm already missing you
I am already longing for you

Although we won't say good-byes
Even though we are not parting yet

Until tomorrow afternoon
Until the following day

Maybe when and if I see you again
Perhaps if I have the opportunity to be with you once more

We'll see eye to eye
We will understand each other

If the moon were full
In an imaginary or unlikely scenario

I'd be howling inside
I would feel overwhelming or difficult emotions

It only hurts
These feelings are painful

If today were my birthday
In a hypothetical situation

I'd be reborn
I would have a fresh start

As Bronte's bird a bird that could fly
As the fictional bird in Emily Bronte's novel that is free to roam

And all accounts would be settled
All issues or concerns would be resolved

In matters of the heart
When it comes to love and relationships