Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of someone utterly smitten, experiencing a rush of elation and nervousness whenever their love interest is near. The opening verse captures this with vivid imagery: the narrator gets "high" just seeing them pass, and an internal "flight" occurs with a simple sigh, leading to a classic case of "butterflies." This intense physical and emotional reaction, however, is met with an unexpected shyness, creating an immediate tension between the overwhelming feeling and the inability to express it freely.
The central conflict emerges in the chorus, where the narrator attempts to rationalize their intense emotions. They repeatedly state, "It's only love, and that is all," trying to downplay the magnitude of their feelings. Yet, this assertion is immediately undercut by the admission, "But it's so hard loving you." This contrast highlights the struggle between the perceived simplicity of love and the complex, difficult reality of experiencing it, especially when it leads to such internal turmoil and vulnerability.
The second verse introduces a new layer of complexity, suggesting a relationship fraught with conflict. The question, "Is it right that you and I should fight / Every night?" reveals a pattern of discord that seems to exist alongside the deep affection. Despite this struggle, the narrator finds solace and brightness in their partner's presence, noting, "Just the sight of you makes nighttime bright." This juxtaposition of fighting and finding light in the same person underscores the confusing, often contradictory nature of this particular love.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their honest portrayal of love's disorienting power. The narrator’s internal monologue, oscillating between declarations of love's simplicity and confessions of its difficulty, feels incredibly human. The repeated phrase "It's only love" acts as a mantra, a desperate attempt to regain control over feelings that are clearly anything but simple, making the raw admission "it's so hard loving you" land with significant emotional weight.