To be lost in the forest
To be cut adrift
You've been trying to reach me
You bought me a book
To be lost in the forest
To be cut adrift
I've been paid, I've been paid

To be lost in the forest
To be cut adrift
You've been trying to reach me
You bought me a book
To be lost in the forest
To be cut adrift
I've been paid, I've been weighed, I've been

Don't get offended if I seem absent minded
Just keep telling me facts and keep making me smile
And don't get offended if I seem absent minded
I get tongue-tied
Baby, you've got to be more discerning
I've never know what's good for me
Baby, you've got to be more demanding
I will be yours

I'll pay for you
Anytime

I'll pay for you
Anytime

And you told me you wanted to eat up my sadness
We'll jump right on, surely, and gorge away
And you told me you wanted to eat up my sadness (jump right)

Baby, you've got to be more discerning
I've never know what's good for me and
Baby, you've got to be more demanding (jump left)

What are you holding out for?
What's always (in the way?)
Why so damn absent minded?
Why so scared (of romance?)

This modern love breaks me
This modern love wastes me

This modern love breaks me
This modern love wastes me

Do you want to come over and kill some time?
Do you want to come over and kill some time?
Do you want to come over and kill some time?

Throw your arms around me


Lyrics submitted by dricambo, edited by daftone

This Modern Love Lyrics as written by Kele Okereke Gordon Moakes

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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This Modern Love song meanings
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  • +3
    General Comment

    I think it is about a guy who is dating a girl, but is clueless. Basically he feels lost & she spells things out for him "you bought me a book"

    He is afraid of disappointing her, but even though he is "absent minded" he is eager to become a good boyfriend (Just keep telling me facts) because he enjoys her company (And keep making me smile). He asks her to be understanding (You've got to be more discerning), and keep trying because he wants to be with her really bad(I will be yours).

    She really cares about him (you told me you wanted to eat up my sadness) and he wants her to continue to pursue him (Baby, you've got to be more demanding). He asks why she is hesistant, most likely in frustration because he is too (What are you holding out for?). Ultimately he is afraid he will lose her, because he is hesitant too. He asks her to pursue him more aggressively, because he lacks the self confidence to do it himself. And the whole situation is taking a toll on him emotionally.(This modern love breaks me).

    At the end he is desperate to be with her again and simply asks her to come over and "kill some time". And then to "throw your arms around me". He has never felt feelings so strong before he is uncertain of how he should show them.

    Kirstabulouson February 08, 2010   Link

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