Criminal

The Elovaters' song 'Criminal' uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe a tumultuous and intoxicating romantic relationship. The lyrics paint a picture of love as a high-stakes heist, where the object of affection is likened to a criminal who has stolen the narrator's heart. The opening lines, 'Start me up / The way your body move is criminal,' set the tone for the song, suggesting that the allure and physical attraction are almost illicit in their intensity.

Throughout the song, the narrator describes the lover as a 'wild child' and an 'assassin,' emphasizing the danger and unpredictability of the relationship. The lines 'You came in lookin’ like a gun / There was nowhere to run' and 'When you opened up fire, oh my' evoke a sense of being ambushed and overpowered by love. This metaphorical language highlights the overwhelming and sometimes destructive nature of their feelings.

Despite the pain and chaos, the narrator remains addicted to this 'criminal' love, comparing it to a 'favorite drug.' The repeated refrain, 'The way you stole my heart was robbery / And now you're looking for your getaway,' underscores the sense of loss and longing. The song captures the duality of love as both exhilarating and devastating, leaving the listener with a sense of the emotional highs and lows that come with such intense connections.