How to Love

Song Meaning

The lyrics grapple with the fundamental question of "how to love," expressing a profound uncertainty about its nature. The narrator questions the conventional metrics of compatibility, like shared tastes or blood types, finding them artificial and insufficient. Instead, the desire is for a "natural" connection, like magnets, where love isn't a calculation but an organic pull. This sets up a core tension: the struggle to find genuine connection amidst a world that seems to prioritize superficial assessments. The central conflict arises from the narrator's past experiences with heartbreak, which led to a belief that love wouldn't return. The arrival of a new person shatters this cynicism, creating a desperate desire not to lose this newfound connection. This fear of loss, however, is juxtaposed with the vulnerability required to truly love, as the narrator asks for the other person to "open their closed heart" and clear their mind. The lyrics suggest that true love involves embracing potential pain, recognizing that "even if scars remain, it's okay" because the moments of love are inherently happy. A striking aspect of the writing is the contrast between the desire for a deep, lasting bond and the acknowledgment of present uncertainty. The narrator admits, "I still don't know how to love," and "I haven't figured out love yet." This vulnerability is amplified by the repeated plea, "tell me how to love," which isn't just a question to the partner but a plea for guidance in navigating this complex emotion. The lyrics also hint at a past where "goodbye always came naturally," making the current relationship feel precious and fragile, a feeling the narrator hopes is reciprocated with "the same trust."