Meaning of "Who Do You Love?" by Joanne Shaw Taylor

"Who Do You Love?" by Joanne Shaw Taylor explores the complex emotions experienced when a relationship loses its passion and sense of connection. The opening lines of the song, "Wake up baby, the fire is down to smoke, burnt out, strung out, trying not to choke," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The speaker feels depleted and is struggling not to suffocate or drown in the remnants of what used to be a fiery love.

The line "Leaning on a lover for desire we can't recover" suggests that the speaker may be relying on their partner for validation and fulfillment, but they both have lost the spark that fueled their love. The sense of dependency is further emphasized with the lyrics "I'm running on the fumes of us burning up too soon." It seems that their relationship burned bright initially, but it has fizzled out, leaving only remnants of what used to be.

The chorus of the song, "Who do you love? Who do you love? It's not me you're thinking of," highlights the underlying insecurity and doubt within the speaker. They can sense their partner's distance and indifference, questioning who their partner truly loves. The repeated refrain emphasizes their pain and longing for the love and attention they once received.

The lyrics also touch on the feeling of being unheard and unseen in a relationship. The line "Hanging from the wire, on a line you said to tread, turned round, got shot down by words you never said" suggests that the speaker has followed their partner's expectations and guidelines, only to be disappointed by the lack of reciprocation. It is a painful realization that their partner's words and actions do not align, leaving the speaker feeling rejected.

The song's conclusion, "Just another candle you can count out in the wind, just another war that was never raged to win," expresses a sense of resignation. The speaker acknowledges that they are just another casualty in a relationship that was never meant to flourish. It is a bittersweet acceptance of their own insignificance and a realization that their partner's love has shifted elsewhere.

Overall, "Who Do You Love?" delves into the complexities of a relationship that has lost its passion and connection. It portrays the feelings of longing, disappointment, and resignation experienced when a love that once burned bright fades into nothingness.