"See You Again" by Tyler, the Creator, featuring Kali Uchis, is a song that delves into the complexities of infatuation and the anxieties that come with it. The lyrics are a poignant exploration of the narrator's desperate longing for someone who exists only in his dreams.
Here's a breakdown of the song's themes and the thoughts behind the lyrics:
Dream State:
- "You live in my dream state / Relocate my fantasy / I stay in reality / You live in my dream state": This opening stanza immediately establishes the core concept of the song. The object of the narrator's affection is a figment of his imagination, existing solely within his dream world. He yearns for their presence, but acknowledges the stark reality that they're not real.
- "Any time I count sheep / That's the only time we make up, make up / You exist behind my eyelids, my eyelids / Now, I don't wanna wake up": This further emphasizes the narrator's deep connection to this dream-like entity. He finds solace in their presence within his dreams and dreads the moment he must wake up and face their absence.
Unrequited Love and Anxiety:
- "20/20, 20/20 vision / Cupid hit me, cupid hit me with precision, eye / Wonder if you look both ways when you cross my mind": This line evokes the feeling of being struck by love unexpectedly, but the narrator also expresses doubt about whether the feeling is reciprocated. The uncertainty of this infatuation fuels his anxiety.
- "I'm sick of, sick of, sick of, sick of chasing / You're the one that's always running through my daydreams, I / I can only see your face when I close my eyes / So...": The repetition of "sick of chasing" highlights the futile nature of the narrator's pursuit. His love is unrequited, and this creates a constant feeling of chasing after something that's ultimately out of reach.
Fading Hope and Acceptance:
- "Can I get a kiss? / And can you make it last forever? / I said I'm 'bout to go to war / And I don't know if I'ma see you again": These lines convey the narrator's growing despair. He desperately wants to experience the love he feels in a tangible way, but the realization that it might be impossible weighs heavily on him. The "war" he refers to could represent the struggle he faces within himself, trying to reconcile his feelings with the reality of his situation.
- "Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, o— / (La la, la la la la, la la) / Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, o— / (La la, la la la la, la la)": The repeating "okay"s and "la la"s at the end of the song suggest a sense of acceptance and resignation. While the narrator still harbors feelings for this elusive dream figure, he seems to be coming to terms with the fact that they might always be out of reach.
Overall, "See You Again" is a melancholic song about unrequited love, the yearning for connection, and the struggle to reconcile fantasy with reality. Tyler, the Creator's introspective lyrics, coupled with Kali Uchis's soulful vocals, create a poignant and relatable experience that resonates with anyone who has ever felt the sting of unrequited love.