Meaning of "Temporary Bliss" by The Cab

The lyrics of "Temporary Bliss" by The Cab explore the dynamics of a casual, physical relationship that lacks emotional depth. The narrator is infatuated with their partner, willingly placing themselves in a vulnerable position just to experience moments of joy and heaven. However, they quickly recognize the damaging effects of this arrangement. The morning brings emptiness as their partner disconnects, refusing to hold onto any form of emotional attachment.

The repetitiveness of the encounters becomes monotonous and void of any real purpose. The narrator questions the point of engaging in this pattern night after night and recognizes that the shallow gestures they receive are nothing more than a heartbreak disguised as a lullaby. It becomes clear that their dreams and desires are being killed by the transient nature of the relationship. The plea for their partner to make up their mind shows the narrator's yearning for a decision regarding the future of their connection. They can no longer tolerate the emotional turmoil caused by their partner's indecisiveness.

Despite their pain, the narrator still craves the genuine affection and love that can only be shown in the light of day. They long for a true connection, hoping for their partner to give them a reason to believe in the validity of their love. The stars, representing a source of guidance and support, are begged to reveal a solution, inferring the desperation the narrator feels.

The repeated phrase "I'm your one and only, only when you're lonely" highlights the one-sided nature of the relationship. The narrator is merely a temporary companion, called upon when their partner is feeling lonely or in need of comfort. They are used as a replacement for genuine emotional intimacy, and this reality is made even clearer when the partner contacts them, reinforcing the narrator's position as a temporary lover.

In the end, the narrator declares that they can no longer continue in this cycle. They refuse to keep sleeping in their partner's bed, allowing themselves to be played with and manipulated. They acknowledge that the temporary bliss they experience is not worth the emotional turmoil it entails. The narrator seeks a love that goes beyond the physical, wanting something more substantial and meaningful.