Missing You

John Waite's 'Missing You' is a poignant exploration of the complex emotions that accompany the end of a relationship. The song's narrator repeatedly insists that he isn't missing his former partner, despite the lyrics painting a vivid picture of someone who is clearly struggling with loss and longing. The juxtaposition between the chorus's defiant declaration, 'I ain't missing you at all,' and the verses that describe a heart 'breaking down this long distance line tonight' suggests a deep denial and internal conflict.

The song's verses reveal the true depth of the narrator's feelings. Phrases like 'Every time I think of you, I always catch my breath' and 'And there's a storm that's raging through my frozen heart tonight' indicate an ongoing struggle with the absence of the loved one. The imagery of a storm and a frozen heart conveys the turmoil and numbness that can follow a painful separation. The narrator's attempts to convince himself and others that he is not affected by the breakup are undermined by his own admissions of spending time thinking about the other person and feeling a sense of desperation.

The use of technology as a metaphor for emotional distance is also significant. The 'long distance line' and 'telegraph to your soul' suggest the barriers to communication and connection that the narrator is experiencing. Despite the bravado of the chorus, the song ultimately portrays a character who is in denial about his true feelings, caught between the desire to move on and the inability to let go of the past. 'Missing You' resonates with anyone who has ever tried to mask their vulnerability after a breakup, only to find that their emotions are not so easily controlled.