Meaning of "How to Make Love Stay" by Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate)

The lyrics of "How to Make Love Stay" by Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) delve into the reminiscence of a past love and the bittersweet emotions that come with nostalgia. The references to city lights and interstates evoke a sense of traveling and movement, perhaps symbolizing the journey that the relationship took. The image of picking flowers and branding initials into an oak tree represent moments of youthful innocence and eternalizing memories. As the lyrics shift towards feelings of fear and uncertainty, it showcases the complexity of human emotions in relationships. The mention of not knowing what to do with one's hands hints at vulnerability and a sense of being lost, especially when faced with change. Overall, the song captures the wistfulness and introspection that come with looking back on a past romance and the realization that love is not always easy to keep.