Anyway

Gabrielle Aplin's song 'Anyway' delves into the complex emotions of regret, missed opportunities, and the struggle to communicate feelings. The lyrics reveal a narrative of someone who is grappling with their past actions and the consequences of not expressing their true emotions. The repeated refrain 'I don't wanna talk about it anyway' underscores a reluctance to confront these feelings, despite an underlying desire to be understood and seen by the person they have hurt.

The song's protagonist reflects on their inability to decipher their feelings and the mistakes made in their relationship. They acknowledge that they should have bottled up their emotions but instead spilled them, leading to misunderstandings and a lack of genuine connection. This introspection is further highlighted by the lines 'I missed all of the meaning / Made you think that I'm tough / But that isn't love / It's the opposite of.' Here, Aplin touches on the theme of vulnerability and the misconception that appearing strong equates to love.

Aplin also explores the concept of hindsight and the impact of karma. The lyrics 'Always lied: I just got over it, yeah / But now I know, looking back / We'd all have a chance / If the hindsight I had / Could be mine in advance' suggest a longing for the wisdom that comes with experience, which could have potentially saved the relationship. The mention of karma 'hiding in the shadows' and 'feeding off the dark' adds a layer of poetic justice, indicating that the protagonist is now facing the repercussions of their past actions.

Ultimately, 'Anyway' is a poignant reflection on the difficulty of communication, the pain of regret, and the hope for redemption. Aplin's emotive delivery and the song's introspective lyrics create a powerful narrative that resonates with anyone who has experienced the complexities of love and loss.