Meaning of "Heart of Steel" by Lykke Li

The lyrics of "Heart of Steel" convey a sense of inner conflict and vulnerability. The speaker addresses their own heart, symbolized as being made of steel, implying strength and resilience. However, this heart's strength is a source of distress as it keeps the speaker from fully experiencing love and connection, leaving them feeling stranded and alone. The repeated pleas not to break promises and the acknowledgment of paying a price for having an unbreakable heart suggest a fear of emotional detachment. The image of being reeled in by the heart of steel portrays a feeling of being trapped by one's own emotions, unable to let vulnerability and love win over stoicism and self-protection. The lyrics convey a struggle between strength and fragility, the desire for connection and the fear of getting hurt, ultimately questioning the value of having a heart that cannot be broken.