When You Say I Love You

AJ Wander's song 'When You Say I Love You' delves into the complexities and fears associated with love and vulnerability. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship where the speaker is grappling with their emotions and the weight of their partner's love. The opening lines, 'Too tired to sleep, I'm / Tongue tied can’t speak but / There’s such a lot to say,' set the tone for the internal struggle and hesitation the speaker feels. This sense of being overwhelmed is further emphasized by the metaphor of 'drying ice,' symbolizing the futility and exhaustion of trying to maintain a facade.

The chorus reveals the core of the speaker's fear: 'I get scared / When you say I love you.' This fear stems from the unexpected depth of their partner's feelings and the pressure it places on the relationship. The speaker acknowledges that they are enjoying the relationship ('I'm having a ball / And you’re having a blast'), but they did not anticipate their partner falling in love. This unexpected turn of events causes the speaker to question their own feelings and the future of the relationship, leading to a sense of fear and uncertainty.

The song also touches on the idea of communication and the struggle to express true emotions. Lines like 'White noise, gunpowder / That voice got louder / Yelling so I can heal / Everything disappears' suggest a chaotic and intense emotional landscape where clear communication is difficult. The repeated questioning of whether the partner would 'bail out' if things slowed down highlights the speaker's insecurity and fear of abandonment. Ultimately, 'When You Say I Love You' is a poignant exploration of the vulnerability and fear that can accompany deep emotional connections, capturing the delicate balance between joy and apprehension in love.