Meaning of "It's Gonna Be Lonely" by Prince

The lyrics of "It's Gonna Be Lonely" delve into themes of attachment, insecurity, and fear of loneliness within a romantic relationship. The speaker begins by acknowledging the duration of their relationship and expects that their partner should know how much they mean to them. They express their deep emotional connection and the difficulty it would pose to remove thoughts of their partner from their mind. The speaker's insecurities and fears start to emerge as they confess to a little insecurity regarding the partner's feelings or intentions. They admit that they are afraid of being left alone, highlighting their vulnerability and emotional dependence. The prospect of the partner leaving renders the speaker in a state of distress, referred to as a "messed-up state of blue." The repetition of the word "lonely" underscores the intensity of the fear and the significance of the partner's affection in the speaker's life.

The lyrics also touch upon the power and allure of the partner. The speaker mentions the effect of the partner's kiss, which turns them on and drives them to the point of losing their mind. The mention of the partner's accent from "gay Paris" adds an element of exoticism and fascination to their relationship. However, this admiration is accompanied by a sense of disappointment. Even in the speaker's dreams, where the partner is the star, they always want to leave. This suggests a recurring pattern of the partner's behavior, which further intensifies the speaker's fear of abandonment.

Ultimately, the lyrics convey the speaker's plea for their partner to remain by their side. They implore their partner not to leave, emphasizing the impending loneliness and expressing a willingness to do whatever it takes to maintain the relationship. The repetition of phrases like "without you loving me" and "without you by my side" highlight the speaker's desperate longing for companionship and affection.