Lips

The XX's song 'Lips' delves into the profound and often overwhelming experience of love and desire. The lyrics, delivered by Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, are a poetic exploration of intimacy, connection, and the emotional weight that comes with deep affection. The repetition of phrases like 'Just your love,' 'Just your shadow,' and 'Just your voice' emphasizes the simplicity yet intensity of the feelings being described. These elements suggest a longing for closeness and a desire to be enveloped by the presence of the loved one, highlighting the importance of even the smallest aspects of their being.

Romy Madley Croft's verses introduce a sense of vulnerability and surrender. Lines like 'My name on your lips' and 'You're wearing my lungs' evoke a deep physical and emotional connection, where the boundaries between the self and the other blur. The imagery of being 'drowned in oxygen' and 'high on intimacy' paints a picture of love as both a life-giving and consuming force. This duality is further explored in the chorus, where the repeated refrain 'I don't wanna know the way down' suggests a fear of losing this intense connection or falling out of love.

Oliver Sim's contribution adds another layer to the narrative, addressing the complexities and uncertainties of love. His lines 'Chemistry is wrecking a two, three time affair' and 'There's no guarantees' acknowledge the challenges and unpredictability of relationships. Despite these difficulties, the desire for 'just your love' remains strong, underscoring the song's central theme of yearning for a deep, all-encompassing connection. The interplay between the voices of Croft and Sim, along with the ethereal backing vocals of Trio Mediaeval, creates a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that mirrors the emotional depth of the lyrics.