"I'll Believe It When I See It" is a song by Gilbert O'Sullivan that tells the story of a person who has been betrayed by their partner. The lyrics express the feelings of disappointment, hurt, and mistrust towards the partner. The song begins by describing how the partner had promised their love and loyalty, but was actually planning to spend their weekend with someone else. The protagonist questions the genuineness of this love and expresses their inability to live a life based on broken promises. The chorus repeats the line "I'll believe it when I see it" multiple times, emphasizing the skepticism and lack of trust towards the partner's claims of change. The protagonist feels that if they can't have the partner's love exclusively, it would be better to be dead. The second verse highlights the partner's neglect towards their children. Despite claiming to care for them, the partner fails to consistently reach out or show concern for their well-being. This adds to the protagonist's feeling of disappointment and resentment. The chorus reiterates once again that the protagonist will only believe in the partner's intentions when they witness genuine change. They question the point of continuing the relationship if they can't live their lives as they had originally intended. The song concludes by emphasizing the protagonist's unwavering need for evidence and their statement that they try to understand the situation. However, their belief can only be restored by seeing actual changes in the partner's actions. Overall, "I'll Believe It When I See It" is a heartfelt expression of betrayal, disappointment, and the desperate need for authenticity in a relationship.
