Valentine

Suki Waterhouse's song 'Valentine' is a poignant exploration of longing and unfulfilled desires. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is deeply yearning for a connection that seems just out of reach. The repeated plea, 'Won't you be my valentine?' underscores a desire for love and companionship, a wish that remains ungranted. The metaphor of flowers being more predictable than her wish highlights the uncertainty and unpredictability of her romantic aspirations.

The song delves into the emotional turmoil that comes with unrequited love. Lines like 'If only you could be here sometimes, then I could control my symptoms' suggest that the presence of the loved one could alleviate her emotional distress. This metaphorical 'symptom' control indicates that her feelings are almost like an ailment, something that needs to be managed and soothed. The mention of looking back over 'old memories that don't belong to me' adds a layer of complexity, hinting at a sense of nostalgia for moments that were never hers to begin with, perhaps idealizing a past that never existed.

Cultural references, such as driving from Malibu to LAX and the casual mention of jet-setting, ground the song in a modern, somewhat glamorous context. Yet, these references also serve to highlight the distance and the barriers between the singer and her desired companion. The repeated lines 'If you wanna see my face' emphasize a longing for recognition and acknowledgment, a plea to be seen and understood. The closing lines, 'You take your time, I'm taking mine,' suggest a resignation to the slow passage of time and the hope that eventually, their paths might align.