Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of someone on the cusp of realizing their feelings are love, but not quite there yet. The narrator is actively searching for something important, yet struggles to identify genuine connection through mere touch. This initial uncertainty sets the stage for a journey of discovery, where memories are built piece by piece to confirm and understand these burgeoning emotions. The repeated phrase, "This will be love, I'll know a little later," acts as a refrain for this hesitant anticipation.
There's a palpable tension between the desire to communicate and the inability to fully name the feeling. The narrator has "so much I want to tell you," but the exact nature of this sentiment remains elusive, only recognized as a growing accumulation of emotion. Even the pain of separation, the "time we can't be together, shakes my heart," is framed as a necessary part of the process, suggesting that doubt and longing are integral to eventually understanding what is real.
The most striking aspect is the gradual unfolding of recognition. Initially, the narrator doesn't know the "name of these accumulating feelings." However, through shared experiences – laughing, getting angry, creating memories that are "irreplaceable" – a shift occurs. The lyrics suggest that the simple act of saying "I like you" can bring warmth, and eventually, the narrator can finally name the feeling, acknowledging, "This is what you call love, it took time, but now I can call it by name."