All I wanted

Kansas' song 'All I Wanted' delves deep into the emotional turmoil of unrequited love. The lyrics express a longing for connection and intimacy, with the repeated lines 'All I wanted was to hold you' and 'All I wanted was to touch you' highlighting the simplicity and purity of the narrator's desires. However, these desires are met with resistance and pain, as the other person is not on the same page emotionally. This disparity is poignantly captured in the line 'There's no need for blame cause we're not the same,' suggesting an acceptance of their differences but also a deep sense of sorrow.

The song further explores the cyclical nature of this emotional pain. The repeated questioning in 'How many times will it take / You hurting me the way you do' underscores the ongoing struggle and the narrator's vulnerability. The pain of loving someone who does not reciprocate those feelings is palpable, and the lyrics convey a sense of inevitability in the narrator's heartbreak. The phrase 'You're hurting me the way I'm loving you the way I do' encapsulates the paradox of love and pain being intertwined.

Kansas, known for their progressive rock sound, often infuses their music with deep emotional and philosophical themes. 'All I Wanted' is no exception, as it captures the essence of human longing and the complexities of relationships. The song's melancholic tone and heartfelt lyrics resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of loving someone who cannot love them back. It serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional risks involved in opening one's heart to another.