The List

Moonchild's song 'The List' delves deep into the tumultuous emotions of unrequited love and the internal conflict that comes with it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is caught in a cycle of longing and frustration. The protagonist is torn between their feelings of affection and the pain of not having those feelings reciprocated. This emotional dichotomy is evident in lines like 'I hate you make me nervous' and 'I hate feeling so confused,' which highlight the struggle of wanting to be close to someone who remains just out of reach.

The song also explores the theme of idealization and the unrealistic expectations we often place on those we love. The line 'I hate that you're perfect' suggests that the protagonist sees the object of their affection as flawless, which only exacerbates their feelings of inadequacy and confusion. This idealization is a common aspect of unrequited love, where the person we desire seems to embody everything we want, making it even harder to move on.

Additionally, 'The List' touches on the difficulty of letting go and the lingering hope that things might change. The lyrics 'How else can I let you go?' and 'When you're ready, oh, remember me' reveal a deep-seated hope that the relationship might eventually come to fruition. This hope keeps the protagonist in a state of emotional limbo, unable to fully move on but also unable to fully engage with their feelings. The song captures the essence of this emotional struggle, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced the pain of unrequited love.