What You Like

Wallows' song 'What You Like' delves into the complexities of relationships and self-discovery. The lyrics reflect a sense of confusion and introspection, as the narrator grapples with understanding both themselves and their partner. The opening lines, 'We're one and the same / Thinking the world's too easy,' suggest a shared disillusionment with the simplicity of the world, hinting at a deeper, perhaps existential, struggle. This sets the stage for the recurring theme of seeking clarity and connection amidst uncertainty.

The chorus, 'Go ahead, tell me now what you like / Maybe this time I'll listen,' underscores a desire for genuine communication and understanding. The repetition of this line emphasizes the narrator's willingness to finally pay attention and engage meaningfully with their partner. This plea for openness and honesty is juxtaposed with the narrator's own feelings of inadequacy and displacement, as seen in lines like 'You've found a new place in the world / That I can't find.' This contrast highlights the tension between wanting to connect and feeling lost or out of place.

Throughout the song, there are vivid metaphors and imagery that convey the emotional landscape of the narrator. Phrases like 'The empty space / Discolored walls painted over' evoke a sense of emptiness and attempts to cover up or move past unresolved issues. The line 'Please kill me before you / Tell me what you like' starkly captures the narrator's fear of vulnerability and the potential pain of truly understanding their partner's desires. Ultimately, 'What You Like' is a poignant exploration of the challenges of communication and the quest for mutual understanding in relationships.