Tiger Balm

Hollie Cook's 'Tiger Balm' is a poignant exploration of regret, longing, and the relentless pursuit of lost love. The song's title, 'Tiger Balm,' a well-known ointment for relief, serves as a metaphor for the emotional pain the protagonist is experiencing. The absence of this 'balm' on her 'lonely soul' signifies the deep ache and emptiness left by a past lover. The lyrics convey a sense of remorse for leaving someone who provided 'stars' in exchange for fleeting joy, only to be left with a storm of emotions and a desperate need to reconnect.

The recurring line, 'I am running after you,' underscores the protagonist's relentless pursuit of reconciliation. Despite the physical and emotional distance, the protagonist's thoughts are consumed by memories of a love that once felt everlasting. The imagery of walking down the hill to a place where they once believed in eternal love highlights the nostalgia and the desire to return to a time when everything felt right. The nights are described as empty, emphasizing the void left by the absence of the loved one.

The song also touches on the protagonist's struggle with luck and fortune, which seems to have vanished along with the lover's 'pretty face.' This suggests that the protagonist's sense of well-being and happiness was closely tied to the relationship. The act of talking about the lost love to others indicates a need to keep the memory alive and perhaps find solace in sharing the story. The repeated plea for the lover to 'come home' encapsulates the central theme of yearning and the hope for a second chance at love.