Valentine
Laufey
The Sweet Confusion of New Love in Laufey's 'Valentine'
Laufey's 'Valentine' is a tender exploration of the bewildering emotions that accompany new love. The song captures the vulnerability and uncertainty that one feels when they unexpectedly find themselves in a romantic relationship. Laufey, an Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter known for her jazz-influenced style and intimate lyrics, uses her music to navigate the complexities of young adulthood and the nuances of love.
The lyrics of 'Valentine' reveal a protagonist who is unaccustomed to affection and is grappling with how to react to it. The song opens with a confession of having avoided intimacy for years, only to find it disconcerting now that it's present. Laufey's character is candid about her inexperience, questioning even the simplest interactions, like complimenting her partner in return. This honesty creates a relatable narrative for listeners who have felt out of their depth in the early stages of a relationship.
As the song progresses, the protagonist contemplates the gravity of her newfound feelings. She ponders the possibility that this person could be her last kiss or the only one she'll ever miss, highlighting the mix of excitement and fear that comes with falling in love. The mention of being only 21 and unsure of who she wants to become speaks to the universal experience of young love, where the future is a vast unknown. The repeated line 'I blinked and suddenly, I had a valentine' encapsulates the whirlwind nature of falling in love when least expected, emphasizing the song's theme of the surprising and uncontrollable aspects of romance.