James Arthur's song "Homicide Love" is about a tumultuous and destructive relationship. The narrator is in love with someone who constantly controls and hurts him ("I live and die by your knife"), but despite this, he can't let go of his feelings for them ("One beat, one life, One me, let the other side go"). The protagonist is conflicted in the relationship, feeling both intense love and frustration ("You make me sick, but all I wanna do is kiss your lips"). Throughout the song, the narrator begs his partner to treat him better and to give him more love and affection ("Tell me what you're waiting for, Hold me like you did before, Would you give me one more?"). He knows that the relationship is unhealthy, but is still hopeful that his partner will change and that they can make it work ("Lie if this was truly love?"). The chorus is a plea for his partner to either stay and work things out or to leave and end the destructive cycle they are in ("Or just run away, run away, run away, 'Cause I don't think I could take much more, Why you always waging war?"). The final verse shows the narrator's commitment to the relationship, even though it may be damaging ("Oh, you tear me down, You build me up, Kill me slow with your love, But I will try to be enough, Enough"). Overall, "Homicide Love" is a song about the struggles and complexities of a toxic relationship, and the difficulties of walking away from someone we love but who may not be good for us.
