This Is Love

Air Traffic Controller's song "This Is Love" delves into the complexities and darker aspects of a tumultuous relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a love that is intertwined with pain, conflict, and emotional turmoil. The opening lines, "You're no good, you're no good / You could kill me and you should," set the tone for a relationship that is far from healthy. The imagery of blood on the wall and couch suggests a violent and destructive connection, where both parties are trapped in a cycle of hurt and forgiveness.

The song explores themes of self-destruction and the inability to break free from harmful patterns. Lines like "You must like being the victim / You've done nothing to get out" highlight the passive acceptance of pain and suffering. The protagonist acknowledges their own flaws and destructive tendencies, admitting to a love for conflict and chaos. The repeated refrain, "This is love, love, shut up, this is love," serves as a bitter reminder that this toxic relationship is what they have come to accept as love.

The lyrics also touch on the protagonist's troubled past and how it has shaped their present behavior. References to being hit as a kid and the inability to change suggest deep-seated issues that contribute to their current state. The song's conclusion, with the lines "The simple love that your grandparents had / This kind of love will only make you mad," contrasts the idealized notion of love with the harsh reality of their experience. Ultimately, "This Is Love" is a raw and unflinching look at the darker side of relationships, where love and pain are inextricably linked.