24. A belated Valentine's plea for love and vulnerability
Understated yet clear yearning for more.
I’ll return to the old format for a song I meant to share last week… better late than never?!
suggested reading method
To best savour this artwork, please take a moment to eliminate distractions. Consider minimizing all other windows on your computer; putting other devices (phone, tv etc) aside; taking a deep breath, to the full extent of your lung capacity; and focusing solely on the “artwork” section.
Once you’ve processed that to your satisfaction, the rest of the post is optional reading, provided only to share my own impressions and reasons for choosing this piece.
artwork
“Valentine” by Jessie Ware and Sampha, originally released in 2011.
interpretation
When I was younger, I liked this song because it’s pretty. The melding of voices and the simple backing chords keep the harmonies light, with a touch of bittersweetness – my favourite combination!
Listening 11 years later, I realize the lyrics are laying bare a central tension in relationships: the desire to be close, and the fear that opening up to true intimacy will result in rejection. Moreover, the repetition of “‘Cause I know about my love” suggests a certainty that isn’t necessarily present in the relationship they’re describing. Perhaps these two are trying to convince themselves their love is real? Read in this light, I think the song presents a situation far more complex than first appears.
Regardless of how it works out for the fictional lovers in this song, I appreciate the song for its vulnerability, its wish to lay the soul bare for love. Shouldn’t we all try to do this without fear? We have to be brave, and be true to ourselves before we can be true to others. ❤️
context
Jessie Ware is a British pop singer and songwriter who has released 4 studio albums. She is also famous for the food-themed podcast called “Table Manners” that she hosts with her mother and various celebrity guests.
Sampha is a British singer, songwriter, and producer who has collaborated with Ware, SBTRKT, Drake, Kanye West, Solange and more. His debut LP, Process, received the UK Mercury Prize in 2017.
Feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments!
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i listen to both jessie ware and sampha and somehow missed out on this gem, thank you for recommending it!!