Stockholm Syndrome

This song touches me in a very special way, and I think that's because it's magical... simply magical. I don't recall having ever heard a sweeter song in my life.

I first listened to it on 1998, when I was flirting with this girl who eventually became my girlfriend, a person with who I experienced many things and made me grow in many ways. Being her the best person I have ever met, I loved her with all my soul. But we didn't have a good start: after one week of relationship, she had second thoughts about me and so we broke up. She explained to me that I would regret being with her, that she feared love and that she had so bad experiences in her life with men that she didn't want to have heartaches again. On New Year's Eve, 1999, we were at the same party, and so I decided to speak with her and tell her now how did I feel at the time, and how I thought that the risk of this love was worth it after all, that I didn't mind suffering if that was the price to be with her at least one more week... She kept her mouth shut and stared at me as I spoke, but at one point she began to cry, and I didn't know why.

In that moment... "Stockholm Syndrome" began to sound in my head.

Today, now that years have gone by, I still remember that moment as a part of a beautiful movie made just for us.

I totally refuse to accept this last interpretation of "Stockholm Syndrome" because, in my opinion, it goes too far into the metaphors which could be hidden in the song.

I mean, BFL, I understand your take and I can see the points made... and I don't think your're a sick person, not at all. But I believe that the lyrics of a song must be viewed according to the spirit of the music and the nature of the writers behind it. And for that matter, YLT tends to sing about more tender subjects than that of sexual abuse. I mean it could be a possibility, but making use of parsimony I sense we should interpret this song as a call on love.

On the other hand, the kidnapping syndrome, I believe, it's used as a representation of the behaivour of a loving person: you end up defending the one that hurts you. That's the beauty of the comparsion.

Moreover, the tune is so beautifully arranged that I cannot but feel it expresses a warm kind of love where the singer makes an invitation to a bet on a rising relationship.

And for the "hands need warning" part... I'm pretty sure it's "warming".

This song has taken my current situation to a whole new level.

I've been seeing this guy for the past couple months. I've had 4 relationships, all over a year long. This is the first time I've ever genuinely loved someone and it's absolutely terrifying, " and I know you know it makes me sigh, I do believe in love" especially because I've ended all of my relationships so I feel like this will be my first heartbreak.

My problem is that this guy is very reserved in an odd way. He doesnt talk much unless we are together. " what's the matter? Why don't you answer?" and this is the first time I've ever really had love to give so I want to know it's reciprocated. Which is absolutely bizaare for me " what's the matter with me?"

I also know he took his last breakups very hard and feeling second always feels fucking awful. "your heart is broken" but I mean.. I'm trying. " the doors are open."

it is so hard to be free and easy. it is summer. And I am tired of aching.

i love the meaning behind stockholm syndrome, its very interesting. It's when a hostage starts to side with the person holding them hostage because they become emotionally attached and sympathize with them. Yo La Tengo compares this syndrome to love.

My take on the song is someone stuck in an emotional rut. They are singing this song to themselves. It has to do with a break-up but I don't feel the song is directed at the person singing.

I totally refuse to accept this last interpretation of "Stockholm Syndrome" because, in my opinion, it goes too far into the metaphors which could be hidden in the song.

I mean, BFL, I understand your take and I can see the points made... and I don't think your're a sick person, not at all. But I believe that the lyrics of a song must be viewed according to the spirit of the music and the nature of the writers behind it. And for that matter, YLT tends to sing about more tender subjects than that of sexual abuse. I mean it could be a possibility, but making use of parsimony I sense we should interpret this song as a call on love.

On the other hand, the kidnapping syndrome, I believe, it's used as a representation of the behaivour of a loving person: you end up defending the one that hurts you. That's the beauty of the comparsion.

Moreover, the tune is so beautifully arranged that I cannot but feel it expresses a warm kind of love where the singer makes an invitation to a bet on a rising relationship.

And for the "hands need warning" part... I'm pretty sure it's "warming".

I think this is a song about breaking up. Sometimes after the break up you just want to talk like crazy to your ex and that person does't want to know about you, so you wonder why they don't answer, you ask yourself: "what's the matter with me?" The part about the heart broken and open doors, seems like when your ex leaves because you hurt 'em and they are looking for love, (kinda like a rebound).

The "don't warn me" is like when you know you can screw your chances at happiness with this person, whenever you try to talk to 'em for 2nd thoughts, and you say that "it won't take long" to express yourself; sometimes you just need to say it for the sake of you and not for what the other person may think. As Alienoo said; I think Stockholm Syndrome means that even that this person is breaking your heart and seems to hate you, and avoid you, and maybe you know there was something wrong between you, still you just love them, no matter what, no matter how it hurts, no matter anything. you just want to be with 'em, hear them again, feel them, that's why he say "I do believe in love" as that this person genuinely think that there's still love.

Correction "I do feel the song is directed at the person singing" haha

amazing song, yo la tengo sure can write a beautiful love song. whats even more amazing about their music is that sometimes a guy writes them so you get that angle, while some songs are written from a woman's standpoint. They juxtapose one another to really show that both genders feel angst towards the opposite. Really wonderful

Addition:

I'm from Chile.

Here New Year's Eve is in the middle of summer ;)