It's Only Sex

Car Seat Headrest's song "It's Only Sex" delves into the intricate and often confusing emotions surrounding sexual desire and identity. The lyrics reveal a deeply personal struggle with understanding and accepting one's own sexual feelings. The opening lines set a poignant tone, as the narrator cries while thinking about sex, not out of desire or shame, but from a subconscious impulse to feel pain. This suggests a complex relationship with intimacy, where physical acts are intertwined with emotional turmoil.

The song continues to explore the narrator's internal conflict, highlighting a disconnect between the desire to be close to someone and the lack of physical pleasure derived from it. Despite being 'sex positive' and culturally aware, the narrator grapples with feelings that are far from positive. This dichotomy is further emphasized in the chorus, where the repeated line "I can't tell you if I like it, I like it" underscores the uncertainty and confusion about their own sexual preferences and experiences.

In the latter part of the song, the narrator reflects on societal norms and the pressure to conform to certain sexual identities. They express frustration with the generalized advice found in sex blogs, emphasizing that their personal struggles are unique and cannot be addressed by broad, hypothetical scenarios. The repeated refrain "It's only sex" serves as a reminder that while sex is a significant aspect of human relationships, it is not the sole determinant of one's identity or worth. The song ultimately portrays a journey of self-discovery and the quest for genuine connection, both physically and emotionally.