"Something in the Way You Move" by Ellie Goulding is a song about a complicated and intense romantic relationship. The lyrics describe the protagonist's conflicting emotions and feelings towards their partner. The song opens with the protagonist expressing how strange and intense their feelings are for their partner. There's something about the way the person moves and behaves that captivates them, even though it causes heartache. The protagonist acknowledges that the person is not good enough for them, but their heart remains open and vulnerable. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist is aware that their relationship is not healthy, comparing it to playing with fire. They feel like they're constantly losing themselves in the relationship, being the first to fall and getting hurt. Their heart sinks like a cannonball, representing the weight and pain they experience. There's a sense of power imbalance as the person they're involved with seems to have control over them. The protagonist feels pushed closer and further away, broken just enough to keep them under the person's control. They find it hard to resist the person's lies, which always seem believable. The protagonist acknowledges that they can't change the person's ways, but they can't remain passive either. They don't want to endure the lonely days caused by the toxic relationship. However, when they look into each other's eyes, they can only see the end of their relationship. Despite this, they find themselves back in the person's arms, unable to resist them. The chorus repeats the idea that there's something about the way the person moves and acts that affects the protagonist deeply. It's described as an evil night air, where the stars don't shine, emphasizing the negative and unsettling nature of the relationship. Overall, "Something in the Way You Move" explores the complexities and conflicting emotions that arise in a toxic romantic relationship. The protagonist is torn between their intense feelings for the person and the negative consequences it brings.
