The song "You Don't Love Me Like You Should" by Hey Violet portrays a relationship that is going through constant ups and downs, causing the narrator to feel misunderstood and unloved. The lyrics reflect the frustration and pain of being in a relationship where the love is not reciprocated or expressed in the desired way. The first verse describes the relationship as two individuals with strong desires and ambitions ("wings on fire") who used to be connected and passionate about each other ("burning circles in the sky"). However, lately, the narrator feels defeated and longs for their partner to understand their thoughts and emotions ("Wanting you to read my mind") but realizes that their partner is not making an effort to do so ("But you don't try"). The chorus emphasizes the narrator's feeling of being unloved and misunderstood. They question if the relationship is even alive or if they are merely going through the motions ("Are we dead or half asleep?"). They plead for their partner to love them right and recognize that it is time to end the relationship ("Love me right, oh baby, it's time to leave"). The repeated lines "You don't love me like you should" highlight the discrepancy between the narrator's expectations of love and the reality of the relationship. The second verse continues to depict the turbulent nature of the relationship with the phrases "break and make ups" and "up and down, on and off." The narrator compares their partner's treatment to a switch, inconsistently flipping their emotions on and off, causing them emotional distress ("Drove me straight to madness/Dropped at the corner of pain and agony/Just to bleed"). Throughout the song, the narrator expresses their frustration and determination to break free from this unfulfilling relationship. They emphasize their desire to be understood and loved the way they deserve. The repeated bridge, "And I don't care what makes you tick/All this back and forth it makes me sick" highlights their exhaustion and disillusionment. In the end, the narrator expresses their final plea for their partner to wake up and realize their lack of love and understanding. They want to escape the toxic relationship and find someone who will love them the way they should be loved. Overall, "You Don't Love Me Like You Should" tells a story of a relationship plagued by misunderstanding, inconsistency, and a lack of genuine love. The song explores the frustration and pain experienced by the narrator as they come to the realization that their partner cannot give them the love they deserve.
