A Loving Feeling

Mitski's song 'A Loving Feeling' delves into the complex emotions of feeling love that paradoxically leads to loneliness. The lyrics pose a poignant question about handling a loving feeling that results in isolation, highlighting the internal conflict and emotional turmoil one might experience. The song suggests a scenario where love is conditional or only acknowledged in private, which can intensify feelings of solitude and rejection.

The narrative of the song paints a vivid picture of clandestine meetings and secret interactions, such as holding hands under the table and rendezvous in bedrooms. These secretive moments are contrasted with the public indifference or exclusion, encapsulated in the lines about making love to other people and being ignored in social settings. This juxtaposition emphasizes the pain of having a relationship that cannot be openly acknowledged or celebrated, contributing to the protagonist's feeling of being alone even when supposedly in love.

Mitski uses metaphors like 'kisses like pink cotton candy' to convey a sense of sweetness that is ultimately insubstantial and fleeting, mirroring the ephemeral nature of the affection she receives. The repetition of the central questions throughout the song serves as a haunting reminder of the unresolved emotional dilemma faced by the protagonist. This artistic choice underscores the cyclical nature of her feelings and the ongoing struggle to reconcile her desire for love with the reality of her loneliness.