Shapes and Sizes

Song Meaning

Joan Armatrading's "Shapes and Sizes" is a stark meditation on the unsaid, the unspoken affections that haunt us more in their absence than their presence. Love, in Armatrading's vision, isn't a grand, theatrical gesture; it's the quiet acknowledgment, the everyday appreciation that often goes unarticulated until it's too late. The repetition of "It comes all shapes and sizes / It's something you can never buy" underscores the inherent accessibility and priceless nature of genuine affection, contrasting it with the common tendency to delay or withhold its expression. The song meaning here is not about romantic love alone, but about the universal human need for validation and connection in all its forms. The recurring line, "Obituary columns are filled with love," serves as the emotional core of the song. It's a poignant, almost cynical observation about the human condition. We are often more comfortable expressing our love and admiration in retrospect, when the object of our affection can no longer receive it. Armatrading cleverly uses the obituary as a symbol of regret, a space where unspoken feelings finally find their voice, but only after the opportunity for genuine connection has passed. The power of the song lies in the implied question: why wait for death to prompt the expression of love? Ultimately, "Shapes and Sizes" is a call to action, urging listeners to dismantle the emotional barriers that prevent them from expressing their feelings. The simple yet powerful lines, "If everybody said it to / The person that they feel it for / Then their heart / Would be full and free," encapsulate the song's central message. It's a reminder that the act of expressing love, regardless of its form or intensity, has the power to liberate both the giver and the receiver. The repetition of "Don't wait" serves as a haunting echo, a constant reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of seizing the moment to express the love that surrounds us in all shapes and sizes.