Meaning of "Play With Fire" by Vance Joy

In "Play With Fire," Vance Joy explores a disconnect between someone's words and their actions. The narrator is expressing their frustration and disappointment with a person who claims to be daring and sentimental, but their behavior suggests otherwise. The repetition of "I'm done, I'm done for now" showcases the narrator's resolve to distance themselves from this person. They no longer care about how this person feels because their actions do not align with their claimed traits. The line "You say you're used to playin' with fire, you say your heart is on your sleeve" suggests that this person believes they are bold and open emotionally. However, the narrator sees through this facade and believes it is not true. The phrase "Well that ain't showin' through to me" emphasizes the narrator's disappointment with the lack of authenticity in the person's actions. The repetition of these lines throughout the song emphasizes the narrator's frustration and disbelief that this person's true nature does not match their claimed characteristics. As the song progresses, the narrator reflects on their own experience with a father figure who always saw them as capable of doing no wrong. This contrast serves to highlight the narrator's disappointment in the person they are addressing, as they realize that the person is not living up to their proclaimed qualities. Overall, "Play With Fire" delves into the theme of authenticity and the disappointment that arises when someone's actions do not match their words.