Music Video Narrative – Lyrical Analysis

‘You’ –The Pretty Reckless

You don’t want me, noYou don’t need meLike I want you, ohLike I need you

From the beginning, the audience can tell this is a typical heartbreak song. The use of repetition from the first few lines highlights the artist’s desperation to be loved in return. The use of the pronouns ‘you’ and ‘I’ displays the differences between each person’s desires and also make it personal for the listener as they feel like the singer is discussing their personal feelings and emotions.

The possessive verbs ‘ want’ and ‘need’ suggests her over-controlling desire to be loved by this person; she feels as if she cannot live without him.

This verse is very similar to the first part of the song. However, the structure goes ‘you’, ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘I’ compared to the beginning where the song went ‘you’, ‘you’, ‘I ‘ ,‘I’ therefore the same message is still being expressed but in a different order. When she sings about seeing him it describes how she sees him for who he truly his and loves him for all his flaws yet he is unable to see her in the same way – she is nothing special to him. ‘Like you have me’ suggests that the person she loves has some kind of control over her.

This chorus is very simple and literally explains her wishes in the easiest way possible. The artist feels like they don’t have to describe their emotions subtlety anymore and wants to put their true inner feelings out in the open. As she feels there is no hope anymore, she has nothing else to lose.

And I want you in my lifeAnd I need you in my life

You can’t see me, noLike I see youI can’t have you, noLike you have me

And I want you in my lifeAnd I need you in my life

LoveLoveLove

The repetition of the noun ‘love’ suggests how much she craves it and how much she wants to reach out to this person and tell them that she loves them yet the unenthusiastic way she sings it in the song may mean she is sick of the idea as she cannot be loved back.

Each verse in the song is very similar – this again emphasises the simplicity. There is no use of figurative language because the meanings are all very literal. By the song being so literal, the artist can describe their feelings and desires in the clearest way possible, making the song easy to relate to for many listeners. As certain words are also repeated, it may explain the continued pain she has gone through, knowing that nothing can be done to fix the circumstances. For example although she may have known this person wasn’t right for her, she couldn't stop loving him either way portraying a constant cycle that is never resolved. The verb ‘’stole’ also describes how this person has stolen her true inner self – she has changed because of this person and doesn’t know who she is any more because he has taken over her life.

This is the chorus repeated once again, displaying how because she is influenced by this person so much, she feels like she has to have him in her life.

You can’t feel me, noLike I feel youI can’t steal you, noLike you stole me

And I want you in my lifeAnd I need you in my life

La la la la La la la la

La la la la La la la la

These lyrics are normally found in a more happy up-beat song therefore it is quite unusual to see them placed at the end of a slow song such as this one. The use of ‘la’ may have perhaps been use for irony and the way they are sung is also very unenthusiastic – contrasting with the way they should normally be sung in a livelier song. ‘La’ is often associate with music and happy emotions therefore the way it is used within this song juxtaposes with the usual connotations.