The song "When I Want" by Jimmy Eat World is about a person who wants to assert their independence and have control over their own decisions and desires in a romantic relationship. The lyrics suggest that they do not want to be labeled as foolish or wrongly assumed to be in love when they're not. The song begins by asking the listener not to engage in an argument or discussion that night, implying a desire for peace and avoidance of conflict. The person expresses that it is easy for them to go along with what their partner wants, but it's not because they are foolish or unaware. They want their partner to understand that they can be a loving partner as and when they desire. The person then acknowledges that some people may dislike or hate them, but they feel it is not their fault. They swear that their intentions are not driven by love, emphasizing that their desires for love and affection are not consistent or constant. The chorus repeats the plea not to engage in disagreements and reiterates that it is what the person wants and enjoys. They reject the idea of being labeled as foolish, expressing their determination to be the lover only when they feel like it. The person again emphasizes that any hate or dislike towards them is not their fault, swearing to their innocence. The bridge of the song shifts the perspective, as the person addresses their partner directly. They tell their partner not to call them foolish because they are not, and to be the lover only when they want. They assert that if their partner hates them, it is not their fault, again swearing to their innocence. The repetition of the phrase "I swear" throughout the song signifies the person's sincerity and determination to convey their true intentions and desires. Overall, "When I Want" speaks to the importance of maintaining autonomy and asserting one's own desires and boundaries in a relationship.
