Well, in my opinion this song is about being a young & maybe a little naive &/or introverted girl and finding yourself loving a man who is at first very charming, carefree & outgoing, and seems at first to be without limits, as in
"There was a time
you opened up every doorway
you didn't mind if everything
wasn't your way"
then that man starts to gradually become more introverted & shows their more possessive/obsessive side to you as the relationship progresses, even while they keep up the appearance of being carefree & outgoing to everyone else,
"Don't pull away
that goes against what you told me
I look in your eyes
I realize what you've sold me
is love in a vacuum"
so you confront them about the way they're acting and of course they deny it,
"I think you've changed
but you insist that
that's not true"
quite possibly they are an addict of some sort, my guess would be cocaine, &/or showing very obsessive behavior towards you (early on in the video for this song we see the man hanging a picture up, it is a very large portrait of Aimee & it is prominently displayed in his/their apartment for the duration of the song), thus their "love in a vacuum",
"You look so strange, so distant
that you're hardly you
Now I can see
how you have been acting different
You say it's me
but I know
that it isn't
it's love in a vacuum"
but still you are in love with them and don't want to leave them and you know that they are truly in love with you and they don't want you to leave them either, maybe they are convinced you can save them from themself, maybe they are so broken that the possibility of an overdose &/or suicide attempt is very real and you want to get through to them that their behavior not only dangerous but it is also just pissing you off and if they don't wise up they run the risk of loosing you, as in the lines
"You will be lonely
if you leave me alone", so you want to save them but can't get through to them due to the addiction &/or emotional problems they have,
"Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
love in a vacuum
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
You will be lonely
if you leave me alone
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough"
you want them to understand that the love they are giving you is not enough when it is filtered through the vacuum of their drug addiction &/or emotional impairment,
"You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough
and just wait
you will be lonely
Love in a vacuum
Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
Love in a vacuum".
'Love In A Vacuum' for me is a hauntingly truthful acute argument on the loneliness of obsession and almost inevitable loss of love that follows people who are broken in some way or another; the obsessives, the coke heads, the drunks, addicts or the just-plain-old emotionally broken; a razor sharp, lyrically driven, deceptively poppy, yet ultimately-depressing-in-the-best-way song.
Quintessential Aimee Mann.
I delve into myself ceaselessly
But I rarely see
What I want to see
Embracing the future
Forgetting the past
Loves lost and misfortune
The chaos and the crass
I'm wary of you
But you're oblivious to me
I'm chained to your ego
And there isn't a key
I play with emotions
But never my own
Don't you recognize me
Try looking inwardly
But you won't see me
Such a strange situation
As I wallow in waste
That such a trivial victory
Could put a smile on your face
Using me as the scapegoat
For what you want to believe
So I'll just bow out politely
And tip my cap as I leave
Comme ci comme ca
My eyes are wide open
Yours are closed
It's time you realised
I'm a part of you
Look inwardly
Don't bleed for me
Look to yourself
But I rarely see
What I want to see
Embracing the future
Forgetting the past
Loves lost and misfortune
The chaos and the crass
I'm wary of you
But you're oblivious to me
I'm chained to your ego
And there isn't a key
I play with emotions
But never my own
Don't you recognize me
Try looking inwardly
But you won't see me
Such a strange situation
As I wallow in waste
That such a trivial victory
Could put a smile on your face
Using me as the scapegoat
For what you want to believe
So I'll just bow out politely
And tip my cap as I leave
Comme ci comme ca
My eyes are wide open
Yours are closed
It's time you realised
I'm a part of you
Look inwardly
Don't bleed for me
Look to yourself
Lyrics submitted by mightypotato
Looking Inwardly Lyrics as written by John Lever David Fielding
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
It expresses the frustration and disappointment of the singer, who is in a relationship where they feel unnoticed and used by their partner. The singer delves into themselves, trying to understand why they continue to stay in the relationship, but they rarely see what they want to see.
The singer is wary of their partner, who seems oblivious to their feelings. They feel chained to their partner's ego and are played with emotionally, but their own emotions are never acknowledged.
The singer suggests that their partner should try looking inwardly, but they doubt that their partner will recognize their contribution to the relationship.
The singer is resigned to the situation and acknowledges that they are part of their partner, but they must also look inwardly to understand themselves. At the end, the singer advises their partner not to bleed for them but to look to themselves.