Easy

Emily Kinney's song "Easy" delves into the complexities of love, self-worth, and the emotional labor involved in maintaining a relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who describes themselves as 'easy' and 'weak,' indicating a sense of vulnerability and a willingness to go to great lengths for their partner. The metaphor of a 'great stage' being the bed suggests that the relationship is a performance, one where the protagonist works hard to appear effortless and accommodating.

The recurring theme of traveling great distances, such as paying 'a million dollars for a train at midnight' or traveling 'a million miles,' symbolizes the emotional and physical effort the protagonist is willing to invest. This journey is not just about physical distance but also about the emotional labor required to be 'easy' for their partner. Despite this effort, there is a lingering sense of inadequacy, as the protagonist feels that their 'whole body is never enough.' This highlights the internal conflict between wanting to be loved and feeling unworthy.

The song also touches on the idea of secrets and hidden emotions. The protagonist describes their partner as a 'secret that I write down, stuffed in my shirt sleeve,' indicating that their feelings are kept close but hidden from the world. This secrecy adds weight to the relationship, making it harder to maintain the facade of being 'easy.' The lyrics 'being easy can be hard to take' encapsulate the emotional toll of constantly trying to be accommodating and the struggle to balance self-worth with the desire to be loved. The song concludes with a poignant realization that the partner is like a 'hotel I mistake for a home,' suggesting a transient, impermanent nature to the relationship, despite the protagonist's deep emotional investment.