Meaning of "To You" by Andy Shauf

The lyrics of "To You" delve into the complexity of unrequited feelings and the confusion that can arise from miscommunication. The speaker, Jeremy, is clearly struggling with his emotions and desires to confess those feelings to his friend, Andy. However, he hesitates to do so, partly because he fears rejection or ridicule, but also because he may not fully understand or accept his own emotions. This internal struggle is evident in the line, "I don't know what I mean, it sounded wrong and I'm just tired, not being weird."

The speaker tries to downplay his feelings, emphasizing that he is not in love with Andy, but the way he expresses it suggests a deeper emotional connection. The line, "I just mean that you're a good friend, it's hard to explain," highlights the difficulty of compartmentalizing complex emotions and the limitations of language in conveying the intricacies of friendship and romantic desires.

The line, "Tell the guys and laugh it up, why am I even surprised?" reveals the speaker's anticipation of rejection or mockery. It reflects the fear of being vulnerable and having his emotions dismissed or ridiculed by his friend group. There is a sense of disappointment and resignation when the speaker realizes that his feelings are not reciprocated by Andy.

Overall, "To You" explores the challenges of unrequited feelings, the struggle of expressing emotions, and the complexities of friendship. It highlights the vulnerability and fear of rejection, as well as the difficulties of truly understanding and articulating our emotions.