Give You What You Like by Avril Lavigne Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Desire for Authentic Connection in Pop Music

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Avril Lavigne's Give You What You Like at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Please wrap your drunken arms around me
And I’ll let you call me yours tonight
Cause slightly broken’s just what I need
And if you give me what I want
Then I’ll give you what you like

Please tell me I’m your one and only
Or lie and say at least tonight
I’ve got a brand new cure for lonely
And if you give me what I want
Then I’ll give you what you like

When you turn off the lights
I get stars in my eyes
Is this love?
Maybe someday
So don’t turn on the lights
I’ll give you what you like

Emotions aren’t that hard to borrow
When was the word you never learned
And in a room of empty bottles
If you don’t give me what I want
Then you’ll get what you deserve

When you turn off the lights
I get stars in my eyes
Is this love?
Maybe someday
I’ve got this scene in my head
I’m not sure how it ends
Is it love?
Maybe one day
So don’t turn on the lights
I’ll give you what you like

I’ll give you what you like
I’ll give you one last chance to hold me
If you give me one last cigarette
By now it’s only in the morning
Now that I gave you what you want
All I want is to forget

When you turn off the lights
I get stars in my eyes
Is this love?
Maybe someday
I’ve got this scene in my head
I’m not sure how it ends
Is it love?
Maybe one day
So don’t turn on the lights
I’ll give you what you like

Avril Lavigne’s ‘Give You What You Like’ tantalizes as an anthem of vulnerable longing and conditional exchanges that define modern relationships – romantic and otherwise. The reflective track, which appears on Lavigne’s self-titled fifth studio album, intertwines the grit of Lavigne’s earlier work with her maturing insight into the complexities of love and desire.

This poetic excavation ventures beyond the surface to unearth the depths of connection, yearning, and the human condition encapsulated within Lavigne’s haunting melody and piercingly raw lyrics. We delve into what makes this more than a love song; rather, a subtle exploration of existential reciprocity.

Clinging to a Momentary Savior: The Emotional Trade-off

Lavigne’s bold request, ‘wrap your drunken arms around me’, is more than a plea for physical closeness; it speaks to her desire for a savior in a moment, however flawed or temporary. She acknowledges her imperfections and articulates a transaction: a mutual exchange of needs for a momentary salve.

Lavigne captures an emotional barter system that transcends physical transactions, diving into the profound human need for connection – even if that bond is transient. The poignant honesty resonates with anyone who has ever grappled with loneliness and the lengths we may go to alleviate it.

The Allure of Temporary Blindness: Escaping Reality Through Illusion

The command ‘don’t turn on the lights’ serves as a metaphor for maintaining the illusion and avoiding harsh truths. Lavigne expresses an understanding that if the fantasy fades, so too might the connection. It’s a plea to reside in the blissful ignorance of stars in her eyes – symbols of hope and dreams.

Here, she touches upon the broader theme of escapism and the beauty found in moments suspended outside of reality. It’s a cultural reflection on our willingness to sometimes ignore the truth in favor of comfort and the semblance of love.

Melancholic Symphony: Deconstructing Lavigne’s Sonic Landscape

Lavigne orchestrates a melancholic symphony, weaving somber melodies with crescendos of vulnerability that underscore the weight of the lyrics. The arrangement complements the narrative, encapsulating the listener in a cocoon of emotive sound that amplifies the song’s raw power.

The intentional subtlety of the instrumental composition leaves ample space for Lavigne’s voice to carry the emotional heft of the piece, acting as the gravitational center of the song’s universe – its true heartbeat.

The Lingering Ghost of Love: A Trilogy of Memorable Lines

Words like ‘I’ll give you what you like’ echo a ghostly yearning, which hangs over the song much like the lingering smoke of the ‘last cigarette’. Each verse feels less like a request and more like a secret pact, with the song culminating in the admission that sometimes what we want most is to forget the transactions we’ve made.

Memorable lines such as ‘Is this love? Maybe someday’ and ‘I’ve got this scene in my head, I’m not sure how it ends’ encapsulate the universality of doubt and the inherent uncertainty of human relationships. Lavigne skilfully crafts a tapestry of recollection and introspection that listeners can’t help but return to.

Beneath the Glossy Surface: Lavigne’s Hidden Track to the Soul

Strip away the polished production and celebrity veneer, and what remains is arguably Lavigne’s most profound exploration of connection yet. Her articulation of conditionality, ‘If you give me what I want, then I’ll give you what you like,’ unveils a deeper societal meditation on the value we place on reciprocity versus genuine emotion.

This song, therefore, operates on dual wavelengths: as an intimate account of personal desire and as a critique of a currency-driven culture wherein everything, including emotion, can be commodified. It’s this hidden track to the soul that solidifies ‘Give You What You Like’ as a poignant piece of pop poetry.