Tides
Xx The Lyrics
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And I can't stop you leaving
I can see it in your eyes
Some things that lost their meaning
Devote to me
Alone with me
Say with me
You leave with the tide
And I can't stop you leaving
I can see it in your eyes
Some things that lost their meaning
Fade out of view
I wouldn't do that to you
I wouldn't just leave us alone
When we could be close, close, close
Hold me close when you could leave us alone
Why would you just leave us alone
When we have been close, close
You leave with the tide
And I can't stop you leaving
I can see it in your eyes
Some things that lost their meaning
You leave with the tide
And I can't stop you leaving
I can see it in your eyes
Some things that lost their meaning
The lyrics of "Tides" by The xx revolve around the struggle to hold onto a relationship that is slipping away. The opening line "You leave with the tide and I can't stop you leaving" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The mention of the tide as the cause for the departure adds an element of inevitability and powerlessness to the situation. The use of the pronoun 'you' addresses the person leaving, as the singer attempts to understand the reasons behind their departure.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses their desire for the person to stay with them, to not abandon the relationship they have built. They plead with the person, asking them to "devote to me, alone with me, say with me, 'why would you ever want to leave?'" This shows a desperation to hold onto what they have, despite the person's clear desire to leave. The repetition and the pleading tone of these lines emphasize the singer's sense of helplessness and anxiety about the situation.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, with the repeated line "You leave with the tide and I can't stop you leaving." This repetition reinforces the sense of inevitability and the singer's inability to prevent the person from leaving. The lines "Fade out of view, I wouldn't do that to you, I wouldn't just leave us alone when we could be close" are almost like a plea to the person to not forget about them, or to not disappear from their life completely.
Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the pain and anguish one feels when trying to hold onto a relationship that is slipping away. The use of metaphor and repetition reinforces the sense of helplessness and inevitability that the situation brings.
Line by Line Meaning
You leave with the tide
You leave me without warning or explanation, and I'm unable to stop you as you go along with the tide.
And I can't stop you leaving
I feel helpless and powerless to change your mind or make you stay with me.
I can see it in your eyes
Your eyes reveal the truth about your departure, and they show me that you're not fully committed to our relationship anymore.
Some things that lost their meaning
Our love and connection seem to have lost their significance and importance to you, leaving me feeling confused and hurt.
Devote to me
Promise me your full commitment and loyalty, and give me the love and attention that I deserve.
Alone with me
Spend quality time with me, and prioritize our relationship above everything else, even when you're alone with me.
Say with me
Verbally express your dedication and affection towards me, and don't leave any doubts or uncertainties in my mind.
"Why would you ever want to leave?"
Question why you would even consider leaving me, and remind you of all the reasons why we should stay together.
Fade out of view
Slowly disappear from my life, leaving me feeling abandoned and rejected.
I wouldn't do that to you
Promise that I wouldn't treat you the same way, and that I would stay by your side even during difficult times.
I wouldn't just leave us alone
I wouldn't abandon our relationship and let it fall apart, because I value our connection too much to do that.
When we could be close, close, close
We have the potential to be even closer and more intimate than before, if we work through our problems and prioritize each other.
Hold me close when you could leave us alone
Embrace me and stay with me even though you have the option to walk away, because our love is worth fighting for.
Why would you just leave us alone
Question why you would choose to distance yourself from our relationship, instead of working to strengthen our bond.
When we have been close, close
We have experienced great closeness and intimacy in the past, and we should strive to recapture that feeling again in the present.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Romy Anna Madley Croft, James Thomas Smith, Oliver David Sim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind