"Loving What You Hate" by Joan Armatrading is a heartfelt song that celebrates and embraces the unique qualities and insecurities of a loved one. The lyrics describe a person who often criticizes themselves, constantly finding flaws in their appearance and personality. However, the narrator of the song counters these self-doubts and reassures their loved one that they find beauty and love in those very things that are disliked. The song expresses admiration for features such as brown eyes, shyness, and trust in others, aspects that the loved one may feel insecure about. Throughout the song, the narrator shares moments where they witness the loved one's innocence, vulnerability, and quirks that they find endearing. The chorus emphasizes the narrator's unwavering love and acceptance, reiterating that they love all the things that the loved one hates about themselves. As the couple ventures out into the world, the narrator appreciates the loved one's openness and willingness to connect with strangers. The song suggests that there is nothing the narrator could possibly dislike about the loved one, as they perfectly embody everything the narrator desires. Overall, "Loving What You Hate" portrays a deep and unconditional love for someone, emphasizing the beauty in their perceived imperfections and highlighting the unique qualities that make them special. It expresses the idea that true love embraces and cherishes every aspect of a person, even the ones they may struggle to accept themselves.
