"Heat Waves" by Glass Animals is a song about the bittersweet feeling of letting go of someone you love, even though you still think about them constantly. The lyrics explore themes of regret, longing, and the struggle to move on from a past relationship.

Here's a breakdown of the lyrics and the thoughts behind them:

Intro:

• "Last night, all I think about is you": The song opens with a repeating phrase that establishes the central theme of the song – the speaker's obsession with their former lover.
• "Don't stop, baby, you can walk through": This line suggests a sense of encouragement for the other person to move on, even though it's painful for the speaker.
• "Don't want, baby, think about you": This contradictory line reveals the speaker's internal conflict. They don't want to think about the other person, but they can't help it.
• "You know that I'm never gonna lose": This line could be interpreted in two ways:
  • The speaker believes they will never forget their love for the other person.
  • The speaker is trying to convince themselves that they won't lose their own sense of self despite the pain of the breakup.
• "Road shimmer wigglin' the vision": This imagery evokes a sense of distortion and disorientation, reflecting the speaker's emotional state.
• "Heat, heat waves, I'm swimmin' in a mirror": This line uses the metaphor of heat waves to represent the intense emotional state of the speaker. They are trapped in their own thoughts and emotions, like swimming in a distorted reflection of themselves.

Chorus:

• "Sometimes, all I think about is you": This is the core message of the song, repeated throughout. The speaker can't escape the memory of their former lover.
• "Late nights in the middle of June": This specific time frame could represent a period of intense longing and reflection.
• "Heat waves been fakin' me out": The heat waves are back, emphasizing the overwhelming emotions the speaker feels. The "faking me out" suggests that the heat waves are creating a false sense of reality, blurring the lines between the past and present.
• "Can't make you happier now": The speaker acknowledges that they can't change the past or bring back what they had. They are powerless to make the other person happy anymore.

Verse 1:

• "Usually, I put somethin' on TV": This line suggests that the speaker usually tries to distract themselves from their emotions, but they can't escape the memories.
• "So we never think about you and me": This is another attempt to avoid facing the pain of the breakup.
• "But today, I see our reflections clearly": The speaker is unable to avoid confronting their emotions anymore. They see themselves and their former lover reflected in their surroundings.
• "In Hollywood, layin' on the screen": This line could be a metaphor for how the speaker's past relationship feels like a distant, unrealistic dream.
• "You just need a better life than this": The speaker recognizes that the other person deserves more than what they can offer.
• "You need somethin' I can never give": This line further emphasizes the speaker's realization that the relationship wasn't working.
• "Fake water all across the road": This imagery suggests that the speaker's vision of the future is distorted and unreliable.
• "It's gone now, the night has come, but": This line suggests that the relationship is truly over, and the speaker is facing the reality of their situation.

Verse 2:

• "You can't fight it, you can't breathe": This line shows the other person struggling to cope with their own emotions as well.
• "You say somethin' so lovin', but": This line suggests that even though they are saying goodbye, the other person still has feelings for the speaker.
• "Now I gotta let you go": The speaker accepts that the relationship is over. They have to let the other person go for their own good.
• "You'll be better off in someone new": This line expresses the speaker's hope that the other person will find happiness with someone else.
• "I don't wanna be alone": This line reveals the speaker's own vulnerability and desire for companionship.
• "You know it hurts me too": The speaker acknowledges that the breakup is painful for them as well.
• "You look so broken when you cry": This line further emphasizes the pain of the situation and the emotional impact it has on the other person.
• "One more and then I say goodbye": This line suggests that the speaker is trying to find the strength to move on, even though it's incredibly difficult.

Chorus (repeated):

• The chorus continues to emphasize the recurring theme of the speaker's thoughts being consumed by their former lover.

Bridge:

• "I just wonder what you're dreamin' of": The speaker is curious about the other person's thoughts and desires, highlighting their lingering feelings.
• "When you sleep and smile so comfortable": This line suggests that the other person is finding peace and happiness without the speaker, which is a bittersweet realization.
• "I just wish that I could give you that": The speaker wishes they could provide the other person with that level of peace and contentment.
• "That look that's perfectly un-sad": The speaker longs to see the other person happy and free from the sadness that they shared.
• "Sometimes, all I think about is you": The bridge returns to the central theme of the song.

Chorus (repeated):

• The chorus reinforces the idea that the speaker's thoughts are dominated by their former lover.

Outro:

• "Road shimmer wigglin' the vision": The imagery of the road shimmering and distorting the vision is repeated, reminding us that the speaker is still trying to find their way through the emotional turmoil.
• "Heat, heat waves, I'm swimmin' in a mirror": The heat waves return, emphasizing the intense emotional state the speaker is enduring. They are still trapped in their own thoughts and memories, unable to escape the pain of the breakup.

Overall, "Heat Waves" is a song about the bittersweet nature of letting go. The lyrics capture the raw emotion of heartbreak, longing, and the struggle to move on from a past relationship. The song's title, "Heat Waves," serves as a powerful metaphor for the intense emotional heat that the speaker is experiencing.