The meaning of Not About Love by Fiona Apple

"Not About Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Fiona Apple, released in 2012 as part of her fourth studio album, "The Idler Wheel". On the surface, the song appears to be about a romantic relationship that has gone sour. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the song is actually about much more than just love.

Fiona Apple's lyrics are often cryptic and open to interpretation, and "Not About Love" is no exception. The song's narrator describes a situation where she and her partner have reached a breaking point, with the line "We're not about love, we're about something else" serving as a poignant summary of their relationship. But what does this mean exactly? Apple has said in interviews that the song was inspired by her own experiences with codependency and toxic relationships. In an interview with The Guardian, she revealed that the song is about "the way that we use people to fill up our own emptiness".

The lyrics of "Not About Love" are peppered with vivid imagery and metaphors, which add depth and complexity to the song's themes. Apple sings about feeling trapped in a relationship, with lines like "I'm stuck in your orbit / Like a satellite that's lost its way". These images evoke a sense of desperation and disconnection, highlighting the ways in which the narrator feels stuck and unable to escape her situation.

Despite its introspective nature, "Not About Love" is also a deeply personal and emotional song. Apple's voice is raw and vulnerable as she pours out her emotions on the recording. The song builds to a crescendo of feeling, with Apple's piano playing providing a stark contrast to the chaos of her lyrics.

Ultimately, "Not About Love" is a song about the human tendency to cling to relationships that are ultimately unhealthy for us. By exploring themes of codependency and emotional emptiness, Apple offers a powerful critique of the ways in which we often use others to fill our own voids. The song may not be explicitly "about love", but it's certainly a deeply affecting exploration of the human experience.