Sunday Morning

Ethel Cain's 'Sunday Morning' is a haunting exploration of love, pain, and the complex emotions that intertwine them. The song opens with a serene yet melancholic scene, where the protagonist is swaying softly, illuminated by streetlights. This imagery sets a tone of quiet introspection and vulnerability. The act of trying on dresses for someone else suggests a desire for approval and affection, but this is quickly juxtaposed with a darker request for physical pain, hinting at a complex and possibly toxic relationship dynamic.

The lyrics delve deeper into this complexity with the metaphor of 'hands like barbed wire' around the protagonist's throat. This vivid imagery conveys a sense of suffocation and emotional turmoil, yet it is something the protagonist seemingly desires, as indicated by the line 'making me cry like I told you I wanted.' The song captures the paradox of seeking comfort in pain, a theme that resonates throughout the lyrics. The refrain 'Sunday morning, everything hurts except for you' underscores this paradox, suggesting that the person causing the pain is also the source of solace.

As the song progresses, the protagonist reflects on their sense of identity and the struggle to break free from the hold of this relationship. The repetition of 'different from you' highlights a yearning for individuality and escape. Yet, there is a glimmer of hope in the lines 'You’ve still got time, waiting on the other side,' suggesting that despite the pain and complexity, there is a possibility of healing and moving forward. Ethel Cain's evocative lyrics and haunting melodies create a poignant narrative that captures the raw, often contradictory emotions of love and longing.