This Love

Craig Armstrong's 'This Love' delves into the complexities and paradoxes of love, presenting it as an enigmatic and multifaceted emotion. The song opens with the line 'This love is a strange love,' immediately setting the tone for a contemplation of love that is not straightforward or easily understood. The use of the word 'strange' suggests that the love being described is unconventional, perhaps even confusing or contradictory. Armstrong's lyrics paint a picture of a love that is 'a faded kind of mellow,' indicating a sense of nostalgia or a love that has lost its initial intensity but still lingers in a softer, more subdued form.

As the song progresses, Armstrong explores the idea of falling in love again, despite past experiences that may have been unfulfilling or meaningless. The line 'And even when you held my hand, it didn't mean a thing' suggests a disconnect between physical actions and emotional significance. This highlights the often-perplexing nature of love, where actions that are typically associated with affection and connection may not always carry the expected emotional weight. The repetition of 'This love' throughout the song emphasizes the ongoing struggle to define and understand this elusive emotion.

Armstrong also touches on the performative aspects of love with the line 'Now rehearsed we stay, love.' This suggests that love can sometimes feel like a performance, where individuals go through the motions without truly feeling the emotions they are supposed to represent. The song concludes with the assertion that 'This love loves love,' reinforcing the idea that love, in its many forms, is inherently complex and self-referential. By describing love as 'strange' and 'faded,' Armstrong invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and the often contradictory nature of this powerful emotion.