Meaning of "Every Little Thing" by Carlene Carter

"Every Little Thing" by Carlene Carter is a song that explores the experience of intense infatuation and longing. The narrator confesses that they cannot escape thoughts of a particular person, as even the smallest things in their daily life remind them of this individual. The lyrics convey a sense of obsession and dependency, as the narrator reveals that they feel driven crazy when this person is away from them. There is a desire to possess and control the object of their obsession, as expressed through the lyrics, "I oughta keep you locked up at home" and "like a wild horse, I wanna break you."

The song captures the dichotomy of love and hate that often accompanies such intense infatuation. The narrator reveals conflicting emotions by proclaiming, "I love you so much I hate you." This suggests that the narrator is aware of the unhealthy nature of their feelings, as they simultaneously express love and frustration towards the person they cannot stop thinking about.

The repetition of the phrase "Every little thing reminds me of you" emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the narrator's infatuation. It creates a sense of being trapped in a cycle of obsessive thoughts and emotions, with no escape from the constant reminders of this person's presence. The song suggests that the narrator's thoughts are consumed by this infatuation to the point where it affects their ability to communicate and function in daily life, as indicated by the lyrics, "My tongue gets tied when I try to talk" and "My knees get weak when I start to walk."

Overall, "Every Little Thing" delves into the overwhelming nature of infatuation and its ability to consume one's thoughts and emotions. It explores the complex mixture of love and obsession that can exist within such intense feelings, highlighting the difficult and sometimes destructive nature of longing for someone who is physically absent.