This Is Love

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a push and pull between the painful reality of a relationship ending and a desperate, almost defiant, insistence that it's still love. Initially, the narrator acknowledges the need to "move along" and that the "river running dry" signals a necessary goodbye. This suggests a moment of clarity, a recognition that holding on is "self-destroying." Yet, this acceptance is immediately undercut by a lingering need and a powerful internal conflict. The central tension arises from the narrator's internal struggle. While acknowledging the end, they simultaneously express a profound need for the other person's presence: "I need you here tonight." This creates a poignant contrast between the logical decision to part and the emotional plea to stay. The repeated phrase "There's an echo in my head" further emphasizes this internal dissonance, suggesting past memories or unresolved feelings are haunting the present. The most striking craft element is the dramatic reversal in Verse 5. The narrator shifts from the painful realization of a relationship's end to a declaration that "There will never be goodbye." This abrupt turn, coupled with the insistent "Forever and ever and ever and ever / I'm not giving up," transforms the song from a lament into a desperate affirmation. The chorus, "This is love / Reaching out for the stars," acts as a mantra, attempting to redefine the situation through sheer will and romantic idealization, even when the preceding verses paint a picture of decay. This lyrical approach is effective because it captures the messy, often irrational nature of deep emotional attachment. The conflict between "holding on" and "moving along" resonates with anyone who has experienced the difficulty of letting go. The lyrics don't offer a clean resolution but rather expose the raw, conflicting emotions that can exist simultaneously, making the declaration of "This is love" feel both heartbreakingly earnest and tragically misguided.