Love Is What You Are

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a creator struggling with their work, a writer grappling with the inadequacy of their words. The initial scene is stark: a pen, a word, a feeling of wrongness. This immediately establishes a tone of frustration and doubt, suggesting the creative process is far from smooth. The repetition of "it doesn't feel right" and the question "Will anyone read / Much less understand" underscore a deep-seated anxiety about the reception and inherent value of what's being produced. The central tension emerges between the act of creation and the essence of what is being created, particularly as it relates to love. The recurring chorus, "Love is what you are / Not what you do," acts as a powerful counterpoint to the writer's struggle. It suggests that true worth, especially in love, lies in inherent being rather than outward actions or even artistic output. The narrator's declaration, "I know what you are / And I love you," implies a profound, unconditional acceptance that transcends the creative output and the perceived flaws within it. The lyrics employ striking imagery to convey the toll this creative struggle takes. Phrases like "The hollowed out laugh / At the back of her throat" and "The film on her eyes" suggest a profound emotional and spiritual depletion. The narrator observes this decay, noting "The dream of her man / Propels her along / Into her demise," hinting at a destructive pursuit of validation or an idealized vision. The act of writing the end "but there is no surprise" is particularly poignant, suggesting a predictable, perhaps inevitable, outcome to this internal conflict. What makes these lyrics resonate is the contrast between the external struggle of creation and the internal certainty of love. The narrator's unwavering affirmation of the subject's true self, "Love is what you are," offers a powerful, grounding truth against the backdrop of artistic doubt and personal decline. It’s a reminder that while the outward performance or creation might falter, the core identity, the essential being, is what truly matters and is worthy of love.