Oh, L'Amour

Erasure's 'Oh, L'Amour' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it. The song's lyrics convey a deep sense of longing and heartbreak, as the protagonist grapples with feelings of love that are not reciprocated. The repeated French phrases 'Oh, l'amour' and 'Mon amour' (which translate to 'Oh, love' and 'My love') emphasize the romantic and despairing tone of the song, as the protagonist addresses their love directly, despite the lack of response.

The narrative of the song describes a one-sided relationship where the protagonist is deeply in love, but their affections are not returned. The lines 'Looking for you / You were looking for me / Always reaching for you / You were too blind to see' suggest a missed connection, where both parties were seeking something, but failed to find it in each other. The protagonist feels abandoned ('Why leave me alone?') and incomplete without their love ('No good on my own'), highlighting the dependency that often comes with intense romantic feelings.

The song also touches on themes of rejection and self-blame. The protagonist reflects on a time when they were together, but ultimately, they were dismissed as 'not the right kind' and merely 'here for the ride.' This rejection leads to a sense of worthlessness and despair, as expressed in the lines 'I lay down and die / I'm only to blame.' The song ends with a repeated plea, questioning what one is supposed to do when love has broken their heart, leaving the protagonist in a state of aching and confusion.