What Is It About Her

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of intense, almost mystical obsession. The narrator, Burrs, is consumed by an unnamed "her," questioning the source of his overwhelming desire with a sense of bewilderment. He describes her effect in grand, almost biblical terms, like "parts the waters," suggesting a power that transcends ordinary attraction. This initial fascination is tinged with a self-destructive edge, as he admits she "makes me cry" and "makes me burn," yet he "wants more." This obsession is complicated by a stark contrast between the narrator's feelings and the object of his affection's apparent nature. He sees "hatred" in her eyes, yet this only fuels his desire, a perverse dynamic where pain becomes a source of wanting. The lyrics suggest a deep internal conflict, where the rational mind knows the situation is damaging ("I know it's wrong," Queenie sings, though her words seem to apply to Burrs's situation too), but the emotional pull is irresistible. The narrator is caught between wanting to possess her ("she's forever mine") and being utterly undone by her presence ("she speaks and I can break apart"). The writing uses vivid, almost surreal imagery to convey this powerful hold. Phrases like "instructing where to touch" and "her eye can cut me to the core" personify her influence, making her seem like an active force shaping his reality. The repetition of "What is it about her" acts as a mantra, highlighting the narrator's inability to logically grasp the source of his infatuation. This inability to understand, coupled with the intense emotional and physical reactions she provokes, creates a compelling portrait of a love that is both intoxicating and destructive, leaving the narrator in a state of perpetual, agonizing yearning.