What Makes You Sad

Nicotine Dolls' song 'What Makes You Sad' delves into the complexities of emotional vulnerability and the struggle to communicate inner turmoil. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone grappling with their own sadness and the difficulty of articulating it to a loved one. The repeated plea, 'Tell me what makes you sad,' underscores a desire for connection and understanding, while also highlighting the challenge of expressing deep-seated emotions.

The song's protagonist is depicted as being overwhelmed by their own feelings, describing every breath and step as a hammer through the knees of who they want to be. This metaphor suggests a profound sense of self-disappointment and the weight of unmet expectations. The line 'My adjective is overwhelming' encapsulates the protagonist's struggle to be someone who is easy to be around, further emphasizing their internal conflict and the pressure they feel to conform to a more palatable version of themselves.

As the song progresses, the protagonist reveals a fear of being abandoned if they were to fully disclose their sadness. The lines 'If I say too much you'll realize you made a choice in loving me' and 'You regret, you will run away' convey a deep-seated fear of rejection and the belief that their true self is unlovable. This fear is juxtaposed with a yearning for honesty and connection, creating a poignant tension that runs throughout the song. Ultimately, 'What Makes You Sad' is a raw and introspective exploration of the challenges of emotional transparency and the longing for acceptance despite one's flaws.