Meaning of "She" by Dodie

In "She," Dodie captures the feeling of longing and unrequited love. The narrator is enamored with this individual, fascinated by their sensory experiences. The detailed descriptions of smell and taste create a vivid image of this person in the listener's mind. The mention of lemongrass, sleep, apple juice, and peach suggests comfort, tranquility, and sweetness. The reference to a Polaroid picture adds a nostalgic element, representing a captured moment frozen in time. The line "she means everything to me" emphasizes the depth of the narrator's feelings, indicating that this person holds immense significance in their life.

However, there is a sense of sadness and emotional distance throughout the lyrics. The narrator declares that they would never reveal their true feelings, implying a fear of rejection or potential consequences. The line "oh, it aches, but it feels oddly good to hurt" suggests a bittersweet pleasure in the pain of unrequited love. The narrator finds solace in their admiration from afar, yet acknowledges the unbridgeable gap between them and the object of their affection. Despite being physically close, they feel emotionally distant. The contrasting sensory experiences of the narrator and the person they desire symbolize the asymmetry of their connection – while the person is vibrant and flavorful to the narrator, the narrator feels insignificant and tasteless to them. This reinforces the theme of unrequited love and a lack of mutual understanding.

Overall, "She" delves into the complex and often painful emotions associated with unrequited affection. It explores the paradoxical feelings of longing, enjoyment of emotional pain, and the stark contrast between how one person perceives another and how they perceive themselves.