How Does It Feel?

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of immediate, intense infatuation, starting with a striking visual: "oceans flowed through your blue-grey eyes." This hyperbole immediately elevates the subject beyond the ordinary, suggesting a depth or mystery that captivates the narrator. The narrator's reaction is one of stunned observation, standing "and gazed through hot summer days," a prolonged, almost frozen state of awe. This sets up the central, repeated question: "So tell me, how do you feel?" The core of the song lies in the narrator's obsessive longing and idealization. They "dream of you the whole night through" without even sleeping, because the vision of the beloved is "pure heaven." This intense focus blurs the line between reality and fantasy, leading to the question, "So tell me, are you for real?" The narrator is so consumed by this idealized image that they question its tangible existence. The most potent lyrical device is the juxtaposition of ecstatic possibility with a stark, almost self-destructive warning. The idea of making love and living as one, "And burn our fingers on the sun," suggests a desire for an all-consuming, potentially dangerous union. This is immediately undercut by the somber admission, "But I have seen what love denies," and the deeply melancholic image, "I've drunk the teardrops from her eyes." This hints at past pain or a profound understanding of love's potential for suffering, creating a powerful tension between hopeful fantasy and experienced reality. This contrast is what makes the lyrics resonate. The repeated, almost desperate plea, "So tell me, how does it feel?" isn't just about understanding the other person's emotions; it's a plea for validation, for confirmation that this overwhelming feeling is mutual and real. The sheer repetition of the question, especially in the extended chorus, amplifies the narrator's yearning and anxiety, transforming a simple inquiry into an almost hypnotic chant driven by an intense need for connection and reassurance.