Meaning of “Portraits” by Birdy

It appears that this song is called “portraits” because Birdy and the apple of her eye, the addressee, aren’t in an actual relationship. In other words, said “portraits” are metaphors for the various romantic scenes that Birdy points in her mind between herself and the person she’s singing to/about – or something like that. 

As with a few other songs found on this album, the wording of this track may be deemed overly-poetic or, more bluntly put, confusing. But throughout it all, Birdy is effective at relaying thesis sentiments nonetheless. And in this case, that would be her smittenness over the addressee.

“Dancin’ for portraits of you
Portraits of you
Portraits of you in my room”

This song was written and produced by Birdy alongside Gabe Simon.

“Portraits” is the title track to Birdy’s fifth-studio, a project that Atlantic Records dropped in full on 18 August 2023.

Just an Imagination?

The gist of “Portraits” is that Birdy’s romantic feelings towards her crush seem to exist only in her imagination for now.

Birdy is experiencing a romance that is more of a fantasy or a daydream rather than a real, tangible relationship. This indicates that her feelings and affection are deep and personal, possibly unreciprocated at the moment. It can be seen as a sensitive and vulnerable position to be in, as living in one’s imagination can be both beautiful, fostering hope and dreams, but also potentially heartbreaking if those feelings are not returned in reality.

This phase of admiration from afar can be a poetic and introspective period, where Birdy might be nurturing her feelings and understanding them more deeply before choosing to express them, if at all. It paints a picture of a romantic and dreamy scenario where the “apple of her eye” is still an aspiration rather than a reality.