I like u
Tove Lo
The Conflicted Heart: Tove Lo's 'I like u'
Tove Lo's song 'I like u' delves into the complexities of unrequited love and the emotional turmoil that comes with it. The lyrics reveal a candid confession from the narrator, who is deeply infatuated with someone already in a relationship. The opening lines, 'I'ma tell you the truth now / 'Cause I'm too high to lie,' set the stage for an honest and raw admission of feelings. The narrator wishes to be the significant other, but is met with the reality that the person they desire is taken, leading to a mix of respect and frustration.
The chorus, with its repetitive 'La-la-like you, I la-la-la-like you,' emphasizes the narrator's persistent and overwhelming feelings. Despite knowing that their affection is misplaced, they can't help but be drawn to this person. The lyrics, 'I know it's wrong, but / I cannot help it,' highlight the internal conflict between moral understanding and emotional desire. This struggle is further complicated by the recurring encounters with the object of their affection, which only intensifies their longing.
Towards the end of the song, Tove Lo introduces a philosophical perspective on love with the lines, 'Sometimes, when you find love / The wrong thing is right.' This suggests that love can blur the lines between right and wrong, making the pursuit of true love seem justifiable despite the circumstances. The song captures the essence of forbidden love, the pain of unreciprocated feelings, and the hope that real love is worth the fight, even when it seems unattainable.