The song "Achilles Heel" by J. Maya tells the story of a person who is in love with someone who becomes their weakness, their Achilles' heel. The lyrics make references to Greek mythology to depict the intensity of their feelings and the pain they experience in this relationship. The song begins with the singer swearing on their life and the River Styx, a mythological river in the Underworld, to emphasize the seriousness of their statement. They express surprise that they could miss this person, emphasizing the depth of their feelings. The singer compares themselves to Sisyphus, who was doomed to endlessly push a rock uphill, and to Echo, who fell in love with a daffodil. These references convey the hopeless and futile nature of their love, as they feel lured by this person like a siren lures sailors to their demise. The chorus expresses the pain and struggle of loving this person. The singer states that they can't hold onto this love because it always hurts too much, causing them to crumble and stumble. They describe this person as their crutch, suggesting that they rely on them excessively. The singer refers to Achilles, a Greek hero with an invulnerable body except for his heel, which led to his downfall. They compare their vulnerability in love to Achilles' heel. They feel defenseless when this person is with them and express their frustration when they walk on pins and needles, always on the edge of being hurt. They desire to "kill" this vulnerability and no longer be affected by it. The lyrics mention Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and fell to his death. The singer compares themselves to Icarus, suggesting that being with this person is both alluring and dangerous. They also mention Kore, who is only partially devoted to them, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom who would envy the web of deceit this person has spun. The second chorus reinforces the idea of being crushed under the weight of this love, comparing it to Atlas carrying the world on his shoulders. The singer describes this person as their drug, emphasizing their addictive nature. The bridge section speaks about taking back control and not allowing this person to manipulate them any longer. They compare themselves to Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods, reclaiming their own power. They mention the mythical horse from the Trojan War, symbolizing deceit and betrayal, and express their determination to keep it out. The lyrics continue with references to Pandora's Box, a symbol of unleashed evils, and escaping from a labyrinth, symbolizing a complex and confusing situation. The singer embodies strength and perseverance, resembling mythical figures such as Heracles and Paris. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the singer's desire to overcome this vulnerability and not be forced to heal from the pain caused by loving this person.
