I’m not living/
I’m just killing time.

Radiohead’s “True Love Waits” is a song is about a codependent, toxic relationship. The woman (who speaks in the first verse) is willing to give up her beliefs and start dressing younger to make the man want to be with her. Anything–as long as her lover doesn’t leave. It is clear she is not happy.

The man isn’t happy either. He likes her smile and tiny hands; he is sexually attracted to her. But, he admits he isn’t truly living, he is just killing time with her.  At the same time he pleads with her: “please don’t leave”.

Both lovers seem to acknowledge that there is a such thing as true love out there: maybe when they were younger, maybe in the old days, but not between them; not now. Inertia keeps them together, even though deep-down they both would rather be with different people.

The song is haunting and the instrumentation is simple. Yorke’s falsetto is amazing. The live version really adds a lot of emotion to the song. It is interesting that sometimes the short simple songs can have the strongest emotional impact.

True Love Waits Lyrics

I’ll drown my beliefs,
To have your babies.
I’ll dress like your niece,
And wash your swollen feet.

Just don’t leave.
Don’t leave.

I’m not living.
I’m just killing time.
Your tiny hands,
Your crazy kitten smile.

Just don’t leave.
Don’t leave.

And true love waits
In haunted attics.
And true love lives
On lollipops and crisps.

Just don’t leave,
Don’t leave.

written by: Edward John O’Brien / Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood / Philip James Selway / Thomas Edward Yorke