The song "I Only Love You When I'm Sad" by Lillian Hepler explores the complex emotions and behavior of someone who only seeks love and companionship when they are feeling down. The lyrics portray a person who recently went through a breakup and is advised by others to focus on themselves and move on. However, instead of embracing the chance to be alone and heal, they find themselves seeking distractions and using others to fill the void. The narrator admits that they don't want to be alone and constantly search for a distraction, even though deep down they know it's not healthy or fair to their temporary partner. The lyrics suggest that this behavior stems from a place of loneliness and vulnerability, as the person only seeks love and connection when they are sad and lacking something better to do. The repetition of the line "I only love you when I'm sad" reinforces the idea that their feelings are contingent on their emotional state. This pattern becomes the narrator's way of coping with heartbreak, but they express regret for using others in this manner, hoping they can understand their actions. Overall, the song explores the conflicting emotions of longing for connection and companionship while also recognizing the unhealthy pattern of seeking love only when feeling sad. It highlights the struggles of trying to fill a void and find comfort in others, even if it's just a temporary fix.
