Infinity

When I hear this song it reminds me of a relationship I had with someone 14 years ago. Though we lived in different countries, supernatural things would have us somehow always cross paths, one time at a stop light and most recently at the mall last year.

There was a novel worthy, intense love between us, but there were also a lot of wounds that we inflicted on each other due to pride and immaturity and because of this we couldn't even talk to each other for more than a few hours without getting into ugly arguments. He moved on and got married. I dated a ton of guys that all happened to be little replicas of him and though I got several proposals, I couldn't give it up to the guys...and I couldn't give him up...always had a hope I would still be with him, but I am not and am still single.

When I hear this song, I don't think of a conversation between a guy and a girl. I think of girl saying all those words to a guy...and in the last part "Give it up" I think of the girl reasoning with herself, by saying "Just give it up already, he's married" but then her heart responds hopelessly "but I can't give it up, I'm hopelessly in love for infinity".

I'm writing this, cause you never know. Maybe it might help someone. If you have a love that has deeply wounded you, but you know the type of love you both share is rare and supernatural and can't be topped, don't let your scars no matter how painful they are, keep you bitter. The sting of loneliness and separation from your true love is far worst. As hard as it is FORGIVE.

The meaning of the song is apparent in the first two verses of the song. The two have drifted apart but still cant seem to forget each other. The man has been more successful moving on, but this is just a facade. Even while with other girls, he is always peering over at her. The girl has a different story. She cant bring herself to take the same route as the man (being in another relationship). Even though there was a breakup, she had never meant for it to be a permanent goodbye. The man knows this is troubled by it. If she had been more resolute with her feelings, he would have had an easier time moving on. The linger hope the two have for each other being together prevents them from truly moving forward.

This song fits perfectly in the nearly flawless album the xx has created. It follows the general theme of losing something/ giving something up (probably love) that all the other songs on the album do. I love the loud clap, symbol smash, or whatever it is during the chorus. Just smoke a little reef and listen to this album, tranquility will ensue.

This song really reminds me of Wicked Game by Chris Isaak, the same kind of guitars and it has a certain sparseness about it (just like the rest of the album by the way, I always picture endless miles of road whenever I hear their music). I really like this song though...

The song is pretty self explanitory. I can't give "it" up to someone elses touch. (sex)? Thats the way I view it, partly because thats exactly how I feel now after my ex moved away. Sort of a depressing song but theres something to it which is comforting. Also, if you like faster paced stuff check out the martyparty remix of this. Thats how I originally found out about this song.

Ok, so I think she left still loving him, but he didn't know because she didn't say goodbye. Then he moved on, but he said had he known how she really felt he wouldn't have. She saw him, and he realized the truth. She still broke his heart, though. He tells her to move on, but she insists that she can't.

Starting with the music itself screams nostalgia, the echoing of the guitar, everything is really slow with the reverb. And this perfectly mimics the kind of emotions that are associated with a sense of loss, of hopelessness. The vocalists are also speaking to each other in the wind, hoping that that somehow, someway they will hear each other and some kind of real connection or reconciliation can take place... Now for the lyrics themselves...

"After all the time After you Had you seen me with someone new Hanging so high for your return But the stillness is a burn"

He's wondering if his attempts at forging a new relationship have been noticed and have made any sort of emotional impact on her. He wants her to seduce her, albeit, cruelly by making her feel jealous. However he acknowledges that his attempts so far have been unsuccessful, noting the stillness is a burn. He feels even more hopeless now.

"Had I seen it in your eyes There'd have been no try after try Your leaving had no goodbye Had I just seen one in your eyes"

In this stanza he begins to reminisce. If he had just noticed sooner that she was going to leave, the utter shock of her doing so would not have been as traumatic as it was.

"I can't give it up To someone else's touch Because I care too much"

Finally confessing her feelings, she admits that she is still holding on to him and the past. This makes it very difficult for her to move on.

"Could you tell I was left lost and lonely Could you tell Things ain't worked out my way"

"Wish the best for you Wish the best for me Wished for infinity If that ain't me"

He is ready to acknowledge his pain for her at his darkest place without her. He able to see a ray of hope for the both of them, but yet still a sense of regret and almost a sense of martyrdom at the last line, "wished for infinity, if that ain't me". Still, a part of her courses through his veins.

In the next series of lines he repeatedly tells himself to give it up, and she echoes that she cannot give it up. He is trying to force himself to fully move on, just as she realizes that she cannot. In summation, they've both become entrenched in an emotional stalemate with themselves, where it will lead is anyone's guess.

i love the hand clapping :D

I can't give it up To someone elses touch Because I care too much

so true!!!!

The part where he says "Give it up" kind of sounds like he's saying he can't let go of her all alone. He's kind of asking her to "Give it up" so that he won't have any doubt."If it ain't me" then "Give it up" so i won't be hanging on for so long.