Crosswords
by Olivia Dean
Summary
"Crosswords" by Olivia Dean captures the bittersweet feeling of loving someone who seems out of reach. It beautifully expresses the desire to be better for another person while grappling with self-doubt and vulnerability.
Full Analysis
The overall theme of the song revolves around admiration mixed with insecurity. The speaker is infatuated with someone who seems perfect and genuine, yet they feel a distance due to their own shortcomings. This love is wrapped in a sense of longing and the desire to improve oneself, reflecting the complexities of relationships. The imagery of crosswords suggests that love can be puzzling and requires effort to understand, just like solving a challenging puzzle.
Verse 1
You're good at crosswords
That's gotta count for something
A face like August, it's warm but I don't trust it
And on a good day like today, I'd keep busy
In this verse, the speaker starts by complimenting the person they admire, suggesting that their skill at crosswords might symbolize intelligence or depth. The mention of “a face like August” hints at warmth and beauty, yet there's a sense of distrust. This mix of admiration and skepticism sets the tone for the relationship. The last line suggests that on good days, the speaker tries to distract themselves, showing their struggle with feelings of doom in this love.
Chorus
*You make me wanna be better / I wonder, can I just steal a bit of your treasure? / I'd lay a while and you could talk 'bout the weather / 'Cause I'm just too in love
Full Lyrics
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That's gotta count for something
A face like August, it's warm but I don't trust it
And on a good day like today, I'd keep busy
Know I'm doomed to loving you
A fish out of water, you talk with all your friends about
Something important, I smile and half understand it
But they're all pretentious and you're sincere
Way beyond your years
You make me wanna be better
I wonder, can I just steal a bit of your treasure?
I'd lay a while and you could talk 'bout the weather
'Cause I'm just too in love to see how bad it is
You're a bad driver, I always close my eyes
But I can't criticise ya, I keep quiet and hold on tighter
And for a hopeless hypocrite
You're easy to forgive
You make me wanna be better
I wonder, can I just steal a bit of your treasure?
I'd lay a while and you could talk 'bout the weather
'Cause I'm just too in love to see how bad it is
To see how bad it is
I can't find words like you
You make me wanna be better
I wonder, can I just steal a bit of your treasure?
I'd lay a while and you could talk 'bout the weather
'Cause I'm just too in love to see how bad it is
