Only When I

Alice Phoebe Lou's song 'Only When I' delves into the complexities of love, self-discovery, and the bittersweet nature of longing. The lyrics reflect a journey of personal growth and healing, where the protagonist acknowledges that their partner did not directly teach or heal them, but rather, they learned and healed through their experiences together. This suggests a relationship that was more about personal evolution than mutual support, highlighting the transformative power of love, even when it is imperfect or unfulfilled.

The song also explores the idea of yearning for something more profound than just a romantic connection. The lines 'We didn't want each other, baby, we wanted something so much more' indicate a desire for a deeper, almost spiritual experience that transcends the physical relationship. This yearning is further emphasized by the plea to not shut the doors too quickly, as the protagonist wishes to hold onto the love and memories, spreading them thickly to savor the moments of connection.

The chorus reveals the moments when the protagonist feels the most intense longing for their partner. These moments are tied to feelings of vulnerability, loneliness, and physical desire, as expressed in the repeated lines 'Only when I can't breathe, only when I wanna believe, only when it's late at night, only when I don't feel right.' This repetition underscores the cyclical nature of longing and the way it ebbs and flows, often intensifying in moments of solitude or emotional need. The song captures the essence of how love and longing can coexist, creating a poignant and relatable narrative of human emotion.