Chosen

Blood Orange's song 'Chosen' delves into the poignant and often painful experience of unrequited love. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a sleepless night, filled with longing and heartache. The narrator is haunted by memories of a boy they consider the most beautiful they've ever seen. This boy is not just a fleeting crush but someone who has left a deep, lasting impression, symbolized by the 'scars of my knee' and the vivid imagery of him 'running, tripping, and falling, covered in dirt.' These memories are so intense that they blur the lines between reality and imagination, leaving the narrator in a state of emotional turmoil.

The refrain 'It's in the way that he moves but I don't want to choose' captures the essence of the narrator's internal conflict. They are captivated by the boy's presence and movements, yet they are paralyzed by the fear of making a choice that could lead to further heartache. This indecision is a common theme in unrequited love, where the fear of rejection often outweighs the desire to take a risk. The line 'Another day and I'll lose, but I don't want to choose' underscores this sense of impending loss and the paralysis that comes with it.

The song also touches on the theme of time and its impact on our emotions. The closing lines, 'Face to the ground, change the sound / Time in your mind, make it right,' suggest a desire to escape the present pain and find solace in a different mental state. This could be interpreted as a call to move on and heal, or it could signify the narrator's wish to alter their perception of reality to cope with their unrequited love. Blood Orange's 'Chosen' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love, memory, and the emotional struggles that come with longing for someone who may never reciprocate those feelings.