Breathing

Oscar And The Wolf's song 'Breathing' delves into the emotional turmoil of unrequited love and the suffocating feeling that comes with it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a love that is both celestial and unattainable, as seen in lines like 'You are my heart lost in a star' and 'You love me true, up on the moon.' These metaphors suggest a love that is distant and out of reach, causing the narrator to feel a sense of despair and helplessness, symbolized by the repeated phrase 'I hold my head down.' This gesture of lowering one's head often signifies defeat or sorrow, emphasizing the emotional weight the narrator carries.

The chorus, 'But I’m not breathing, I’m not sleeping, I’m not leaving here for you,' highlights the narrator's state of limbo. They are stuck in a place where they can't move forward or find peace, as their love is not reciprocated. The repetition of 'I’m not breathing' underscores the suffocating nature of their emotions, as if the very act of loving this person is draining the life out of them. This sense of being trapped is further amplified by the line 'You deny all that I try,' indicating that their efforts to win over their love interest are futile.

The song also touches on the frustration of feeling unappreciated, as seen in the lines 'So don’t go around, let it waste your time, when you don’t take it serious.' The narrator is pleading for their love interest to recognize the depth of their feelings and the seriousness of their love. Despite this plea, the song ends on a note of resignation, with the narrator acknowledging that they are not breathing, sleeping, or leaving, trapped in their unfulfilled love. This poignant portrayal of unrequited love resonates deeply, capturing the essence of longing and heartache that many can relate to.