Meaning of "It Comes and It Goes" by Dido

"It Comes and It Goes" is a reflection on the transitory nature of love and emotions. The lyrics speak to the unpredictability of human emotions, particularly in the context of romantic love. The narrator describes the constant fluctuation between desiring love and feeling disconnected from it. This emotional rollercoaster is depicted as something that is beyond their control, as if love has a mind of its own. The lyrics emphasize how love can appear suddenly, again highlighting its capricious nature, and then vanish just as quickly, leaving the narrator feeling broken and empty.

The mention of a change in mood and external factors such as someone's words or actions suggests that the narrator's emotional state is easily influenced by their surroundings. The song explores how the ebb and flow of emotions can be triggered by external stimuli, which can serve as a reminder of the complex and delicate nature of human emotions.

The repetition of the phrase "armies of words cannot hope to contain" implies that the narrator's struggle to capture or control the fickle nature of love through language. Love is portrayed as an entity that cannot be fully understood or contained through words alone.

The lyrics also touch on the narrator's vulnerability and the impact of love's departure. The line "And there's nothing I own, And it breaks me when it goes" conveys the deep emotional pain experienced when love disappears. This suggests that despite the narrator's conflicting feelings towards love, its absence leaves them feeling empty and devastated.

Overall, "It Comes and It Goes" delves into the complexities of human emotions, particularly in the realm of love. It explores the fleeting and uncertain nature of these emotions, their unpredictable arrival, and the profound impact their absence can have.