hard 2 love
Mark Tuan
The Struggle of Self-Worth in Mark Tuan's 'hard 2 love'
Mark Tuan's 'hard 2 love' delves into the emotional turmoil of feeling unworthy of love and connection. The song opens with vivid imagery of 'frost on my skin,' symbolizing a prolonged period of emotional coldness and isolation. This metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the song, where Tuan expresses a sense of resignation and numbness, admitting that he no longer cares if he's wrong. The repeated line 'I've always felt like I'm so hard to love' encapsulates the core theme of the song: a deep-seated belief in one's own unlovability.
The lyrics also touch on the impact of this self-perception on Tuan's relationships. He mentions that nobody has been calling him lately, leading him to believe that the people around him hate him. This line highlights the cyclical nature of low self-esteem, where negative thoughts about oneself can lead to social withdrawal, which in turn reinforces those negative thoughts. The repetition of phrases like 'hard to hug, hard to touch, hard to hold, hard to trust' emphasizes the barriers that Tuan feels exist between him and others, making it difficult for him to form meaningful connections.
The song's chorus, with its repetitive and almost hypnotic declaration of being 'hard to love,' serves as a poignant reminder of the internal struggle many people face when dealing with issues of self-worth. The imagery of 'burns from the Sun' and standing alone 'till the day and the night are over' further underscores the theme of enduring emotional pain and isolation. Through 'hard 2 love,' Mark Tuan offers a raw and honest portrayal of the challenges of self-acceptance and the longing for genuine human connection, making it a relatable anthem for anyone who has ever felt unworthy of love.