You Are You Are

Lucy Schwartz's song "You Are You Are" delves into the profound emotions of longing and unrequited love. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is deeply enamored with another person, yet feels an insurmountable distance between them. The repeated phrase "You are you are" emphasizes the significance and almost mythical presence of the person being sung about. This person is described as something to see, a haunting presence, and a holy ghost, suggesting an ethereal and almost unattainable quality.

The singer expresses a deep yearning and a promise of devotion with lines like "I’d be good to you" and "I need you." These lines reveal a vulnerability and a willingness to give everything to the object of their affection, if only they were aware of this love. The use of religious imagery, such as the holy ghost and hymnal, adds a layer of spiritual longing, indicating that this love is not just physical but also deeply emotional and spiritual.

The song captures the essence of unrequited love, where the beloved is just out of reach, and the singer is left with a haunting sense of what could be. The repetition of the need for the other person underscores the desperation and intensity of these feelings. Lucy Schwartz's poignant lyrics and haunting melody create a powerful and relatable narrative of love that is felt deeply but remains unfulfilled.