The song "I Only Miss You When I Breathe" by Christina Grimmie explores the complexities of love and the pain of missing someone deeply. The lyrics convey the conflicting emotions experienced when still longing for a past love, even though others may believe it wasn't true love. The song opens by describing love as a strange thing that ignites a fire in one's heart and constantly keeps them burning day and night. It acknowledges that love can also feel cold and abruptly freeze, causing heartbreak and tearing one's heart into pieces. Despite the doubts and opinions of friends, the narrator admits that they only miss their former lover when they breathe. This emphasizes the deep connection and longing they still feel for this person. The lyrics suggest that love can be delusional, making one see things that may not have been there, but it is also described as magical when falling head over heels. However, love can also leave one broken and bruised. The song continues by mentioning the power of love and how it can make someone stronger. However, the narrator questions why they always miss the person when they breathe, hinting at the ongoing pain and longing even after the relationship has ended. The repetition of the line "I only miss you when I breathe" emphasizes the significance of this feeling. In the end, the narrator recognizes that their friends may believe it was not true love and that they shouldn't waste their tears on this person. However, they assert that their friends don't truly understand the depth of their longing. The song concludes with a reaffirmation that the narrator only misses their former lover when they breathe. Overall, "I Only Miss You When I Breathe" portrays the struggle of moving on from a lost love and the lingering emotions that continue to haunt the narrator. It highlights the power and impact that love can have on an individual's life, ultimately leaving them longing for something they can only truly feel when they breathe.
