Why I Try

Jalen N'Gonda's song 'Why I Try' delves into the emotional turmoil of unrequited love. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who is deeply infatuated with someone who remains oblivious to their feelings. The opening lines, 'You're in every corner of my eye / I'll feel your presence day and night,' suggest an omnipresent longing and an inability to escape thoughts of the beloved. This sets the stage for a narrative of silent suffering, where the protagonist's love goes unnoticed and unreciprocated.

The chorus, 'That's why I try,' repeated throughout the song, underscores the persistence and hope that drive the protagonist to keep trying despite the lack of acknowledgment. The lines 'You're the gold, I'm the rust / You're the toast and I'm the crust' use metaphors to highlight the perceived disparity between the lover and the beloved, emphasizing feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness. This contrast further deepens the sense of longing and the emotional struggle faced by the protagonist.

Cultural references like 'a devil in a blue dress' add a layer of complexity to the song, suggesting that the beloved is both alluring and unattainable. The plea, 'Lord, won't you tell me / Why, why, Lord why,' indicates a sense of desperation and a search for answers in the face of unreturned affection. Jalen N'Gonda's soulful delivery and the heartfelt lyrics combine to create a poignant exploration of love's challenges, making 'Why I Try' a relatable anthem for anyone who has experienced the pain of unrequited love.