The song "Almost Love" by Billy Gilman is about a person who has deep feelings for someone but is unable to fully express their love. The protagonist is infatuated with the girl and wishes to give her everything, even though all they have is a letter jacket and a mood ring. The person often sees the girl in the hallway but is too shy to communicate with her, so they express their emotions through writing poetry. Despite their strong feelings, the protagonist is uncertain about the meaning of it all. They can almost imagine being in love, almost feel the girl's kiss, and almost promise their heart. However, their promises are more like wishes because they are unsure about their own emotions and the girl's reciprocation. In one particular incident, the protagonist witnesses the girl with an older guy playing the guitar. They feel jealous but freeze in the moment, not knowing how to react. They contemplate standing up to the guy or running away with the girl, but they are unsure of the best course of action. The chorus of the song highlights the ambiguity and uncertainty in their feelings. The protagonist can almost love the girl, but it remains just out of reach. They are unable to fully understand the significance of their emotions and are unable to let go of the girl, even if they can't be together. Every time they get close, it's only almost. The bridge of the song reflects on the idealized concept of love, describing it as the right stuff, the flight of a pure white dove, and true love. But for the protagonist, it remains almost attainable. Overall, "Almost Love" portrays the struggle of unrequited love and the internal battle of the protagonist's feelings. They are deeply infatuated with the girl but are unable to fully express their emotions or understand the significance of their connection.
