Love you to death
London After Midnight
The Dark Obsession of Love: Analyzing 'Love You to Death' by London After Midnight
London After Midnight's song 'Love You to Death' delves into the darker, more obsessive side of love. The lyrics paint a picture of a love that is all-consuming and possessive, bordering on the unhealthy. The narrator expresses a deep, almost pathological need to possess the object of their affection, describing their feelings as a 'sweet obsession' and 'dealing in demons love.' This suggests a love that is not only intense but also potentially destructive, as the narrator is willing to wear down their beloved until they submit.
The song's chorus, 'I love you to death, I love you completely, love that is purely pain,' encapsulates the paradoxical nature of this love. It is a love that brings both ecstasy and agony, a duality that is further emphasized by the line, 'I never meant to hurt you so badly, I thought you'd enjoy the pain.' This reveals a disturbing misunderstanding or disregard for the beloved's feelings, highlighting the selfish and consuming nature of the narrator's love.
Culturally, the song taps into themes of gothic romance and dark fantasy, common in London After Midnight's music. The band's style often explores the macabre and the melancholic, and 'Love You to Death' is no exception. The lyrics' references to selling one's soul and dealing with demons add a supernatural element, suggesting that this love is not just unhealthy but also otherworldly and cursed. The song serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsessive love and the fine line between passion and possession.