Meaning of "Please Eat" by Nicole Dollanganger

"Please Eat" delves into a complex emotional landscape, exploring themes of love, self-destruction, and the desperation of wanting someone to take care of themselves. The central focus of the song is the speaker's profound concern for their loved one's well-being. They express a desire to provide everything the person needs, to be the nurturer and caregiver that can ensure their happiness and health.

The lyrics make it clear that the speaker's love extends far beyond physical attraction. They emphasize that it's not the loved one's body they love, but the person inhabiting that body. Their love extends to the inner self, the essence of who the loved one is. This distinction is significant because it shows that the speaker values the person as a whole, not just for their external appearance.

However, the speaker is deeply distressed by the loved one's self-destructive behavior. They can see the toll that starvation is taking on the loved one's body, and they mourn the loss of the physical self that they can touch and connect with. The repeated line, "It's not your body that I love, but it's the shell you're inside of," underscores the speaker's focus on the inner self and their struggle to reconcile it with the physical deterioration they witness.

In their desperation, the speaker pleads for the loved one to eat. They understand that prolonged starvation can have fatal consequences, as they mention parts of the loved one being "already gone," indicating irreversible damage. The speaker's plea goes beyond simple nourishment; it reflects a profound desire for the loved one's survival and well-being. They long to revive the parts of the person that have been lost, highlighting the pain and helplessness they feel as they watch the loved one's decline.

Overall, "Please Eat" captures the complex dynamics of love and concern for someone caught in self-destructive behavior. It explores the challenge of loving someone deeply while witnessing their self-neglect. The lyrics convey the speaker's desperation and the urgency of their plea, searching for a way to break through and bring the loved one back to a healthier state physically, emotionally, and spiritually.