Curious by Hayley Kiyoko Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Layers of Love and Longing
Lyrics
I need a drink, whiskey ain’t my thing
But shit is all good
I can handle things like I wish that you would
You’ve been out of reach, could you explain?
I think that you should
What you been up to?
Who’s been loving you good?
I’m just on the floor, I’m like a model
Been looking through the texts and all the photos
But don’t you worry, I can handle it
No, don’t you worry, I can handle it
If you let him touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya (yeah)
The way I used to, used to, used to, used to, used to, used to (yeah)
Did you take him to the pier in Santa Monica
Forget to bring a jacket, wrap up in him ’cause you wanted to?
I’m just curious, is it serious?
I’m just curious, is it serious?
Calling me up, so late at night
Are we just friends?
You say you wanted me, but you’re sleeping with him
You think of me, I’m what you see
When you look at the sky
I don’t believe you
You ain’t been loving me right (yeah)
I’m just on the floor, I’m like a model
Been looking through the texts and all the photos
But don’t you worry I can handle it
No, don’t you worry I can handle it
If you let him touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya (yeah)
The way I used to, used to, used to, used to, used to, used to (yeah)
Did you take him to the pier in Santa Monica
Forget to bring a jacket, wrap up in him ’cause you wanted to?
I’m just curious, is it serious?
If you let him touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya (yeah)
The way I used to, used to, used to, used to, used to, used to (yeah)
Did you take him to the pier in Santa Monica
Forget to bring a jacket, wrap up in him ’cause you wanted to?
I’m just curious, is it serious?
I’m just on the floor, I’m like a model
Been looking through the texts and all the photos
But don’t you worry I can handle it
No, don’t you worry I can handle it
If you let him, if you let him
If you let him touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya, touch ya (yeah)
The way I used to, used to, used to, used to, used to, used to (yeah)
Did you take him to the pier in Santa Monica
Forget to bring a jacket, wrap up in him ’cause you wanted to?
I’m just curious, is it serious?
I’m just curious, is it serious?
Hayley Kiyoko’s ‘Curious’ stands out not just as a sleek synth-pop anthem but as a profound exploration of the nuances of desire, jealousy, and the quest for truth in a relationship that dangles between friendship and something more. The track isn’t merely a catchy tune—it’s a narrative steeped in the personal inquisition and the complexities of modern romance.
Through her lyrics, Kiyoko delineates a tale that many are all too familiar with—the tug-of-war of attraction and the yearning for clarity from someone whose actions don’t quite align with their words. Let’s delve into the lyrical labyrinth of ‘Curious’ and unearth the hidden meanings, emotions, and truths wrapped within its verses.
Sipping on Metaphor: The Whiskey Analogy
The opening lines immediately set a tone of indirect confrontation and self-assurance. Kiyoko’s admittance—’whiskey ain’t my thing’—suggests a reluctance, yet a willingness to delve into uncharted territories, akin to engaging in dialogues and situations that aren’t her norm but that she’s prepared to navigate.
It could also be interpreted as an allegory for her taste in romantic partners, alluding to a deviation from her usual preferences, possibly hinting at bi-curiosity, something Kiyoko has become an icon for in her musical career. Her readiness to handle things she wishes her counterpart would mirror implies a desire for reciprocity and understanding in their dynamic.
A Photographic Memory: Parsing Through Past Intimacies
Kiyoko’s chorus paints a vivid image of going through old texts and photos, a universal act of revisiting memories when one is swimming in doubt and seeking answers. Her repeated assurance that she can handle it serves as a mantra of strength, but also discloses an undercurrent of vulnerability.
By juxtaposing her composed exterior with the tumultuous task of sifting through relics of a once shared intimacy, she brings her listeners into a deeply personal space that resonates with anyone who’s ever questioned where they stand with someone they’ve loved.
The Piercing Question: Is it Serious?
Perhaps one of the most evocative lines in the song refers to a shared moment at the Santa Monica pier. This setting is emblematic of her Californian roots but also serves as a metaphor for a place of romantic significance—an embodiment of joyful times now in jeopardy.
Kiyoko isn’t only curious about the physical comparison to her ex’s new partner, but there’s an emotive depth to her question, ‘Is it serious?’ She’s probing the seriousness of her erstwhile lover’s new ventures, and whether there’s genuine feeling or just a fleeting warmth akin to needing a jacket on a cold night.
The Hidden Generalized Meanings: More Than a Love Triangle
A surface reading suggests a straightforward love triangle, but ‘Curious’ dives deeper. It’s an exploration of identity and the fear that comes with being in a relationship that exists outside of heteronormative expectations. Her lyrics reach out to members of the LGBTQ+ community by questioning the legitimacy of relationships that society has only begun to fully recognize.
Additionally, ‘Curious’ traverses the perils of undefined relationships that teeter between platonic and romantic. It speaks to a generation that often navigates love without labels, the confusion and heartache that lack of definition breeds, and the desire to be seen and understood by a love interest.
Unforgettable Lines: The Mirror to the Sky
Amidst the turmoil, there’s poetry in the line, ‘You think of me, I’m what you see, when you look at the sky.’ It is here Kiyoko transforms personal pain into something sublime. She becomes a permanent fixture in the mind of her lover, as vast and untouchable as the sky itself.
Consequently, this line also echoes the sense of loss and emotional distance—how sometimes, despite the feeling of closeness, the emotional gap between two people can feel as immense as the sky. It is in these words that Kiyoko captures the bittersweet essence of love that’s slipping away but is still omnipresent.
