Meaning of "Show Me Love" by Laura Mvula

"Show Me Love" is a heartfelt exploration of the profound longing for love and the pain of losing that love. The lyrics convey a deep desire for connection and belonging, with the narrator expressing a need to belong to someone and missing the intimate moments, such as the breath of a kiss and the waking up together. The repetition of "Oh, God, show me love" adds an element of desperation, as if pleading for relief from the loneliness and longing.

There is a sense of questioning throughout the song, as the narrator asks why the pain is so intense if the love they had wasn't real. The pain juxtaposes with the belief that what they had was everything and something that would endure. The mention of being torn apart by a change in the wind or a cloud in the sky emphasizes the fragility and unexpectedness of the love's dissolution. It highlights the vulnerability of human connections that can be disrupted by the smallest of changes.

The lyrics also acknowledge the depth of the love they experienced. The lines "You showed me love of the deepest kind" reflect the profound impact the person had on the narrator's life. It suggests that finding another love like that is unlikely and perhaps impossible. This realization adds a tinge of yearning and nostalgia to the song, as the narrator recognizes that they may never experience that level of love again.

The theme of healing and moving on is touched upon in the latter part of the song. The acknowledgement that healing takes time and may require reaching out for support symbolizes a willingness to let go of the past and start anew. The reference to an ancient prayer and the idea of a story of old continuing show a belief in the power of time and the ability to move mountains, both metaphorically and in the context of healing a broken heart.

Overall, "Show Me Love" delves into the depths of longing, loss, and the complexity of human connections. It captures the ache for love and the bittersweet realization that some loves may be irreplaceable. The lyrics portray a journey of healing and the understanding that sometimes it's too late to save what has been lost, but the impact of that love will always be remembered.