Jealous

I'm jealous of the rain That falls upon your skin It's closer than my hands have been I'm jealous of the rain I'm jealous of the wind That ripples through your clothes It's closer than your shadow Oh, I'm jealous of the wind 'Cause I wished you the best of all this world could give And I told you when you left me There's nothing to forgive But I always thought you'd come back Tell me all you found was heartbreak and misery It's hard for me to say I'm jealous of the way You're happy without me I'm jealous of the nights That I don't spend with you I'm wondering who you lay next to Oh, I'm jealous of the nights I'm jealous of the love Love that was in here Gone for someone else to share Oh, I'm jealous of the love 'Cause I wished you the best of all this world could give And I told you when you left me There's nothing to forgive But I always thought you'd come back Tell me all you found was heartbreak and misery It's hard for me to say I'm jealous of the way You're happy without me As I sink in the sand Watch you slip through my hands Oh, as I die here another day 'Cause all I do is cry behind this smile I wished you the best of all this world could give And I told you when you left me There's nothing to forgive But I always thought you'd come back Tell me all you found was heartbreak and misery It's hard for me to say I'm jealous of the way You're happy without me It's hard for me to say I'm jealous of the way You're happy without me

Composer: Timothy McKenzie, Natalie Hemby, Joshua Kear

In-depth Analysis of 'Jealous' by Labrinth | LyricLens AI

Labrinth's 'Jealous' is a raw, heart-wrenching ballad that delves into the profound pain of watching a former lover move on and find happiness. It's a poignant exploration of post-breakup emotions, particularly the insidious nature of jealousy when love has ended but feelings linger.

Core Themes Explored:

Intense Jealousy: The narrator expresses an overwhelming jealousy, not just of a new partner, but of inanimate elements like rain and wind, and even abstract concepts like 'nights' and 'love' itself, for being closer to the ex than he is. This highlights his deep longing and sense of displacement.
Heartbreak and Unrequited Hope: Despite wishing the ex "the best of all this world could give" and declaring "nothing to forgive," the narrator secretly hoped they would return, having found only "heartbreak and misery" without him. This reveals a painful conflict between spoken acceptance and persistent inner hope.
The Paradox of Love and Loss: The song powerfully articulates the agonizing paradox of genuinely wanting happiness for someone you love, while simultaneously being destroyed by the reality of that happiness being found without you. The line "I'm jealous of the way you're happy without me" encapsulates this torment.

Emotional Resonance:

The track is imbued with profound sadness, vulnerability, and a palpable sense of loss. Labrinth's haunting vocals amplify the feeling of despair and quiet suffering, making 'Jealous' a cathartic anthem for anyone who has experienced the bitter sting of a former love's newfound joy.

Q&A & Fun Facts: 'Jealous' by Labrinth

What is Labrinth's 'Jealous' about?

'Jealous' is a deeply emotional song about the lingering pain and intense jealousy experienced after a breakup, when one person has moved on and found happiness while the other is still deeply affected by the loss and longs for their return.

Why is the narrator jealous of the rain and wind in 'Jealous'?

The narrator uses poetic personification to express extreme longing. By saying he's jealous of the rain that "falls upon your skin" or the wind that "ripples through your clothes," he highlights how even inanimate objects are closer to his former lover than he is, emphasizing his profound sense of separation and loss.

What does the line "There's nothing to forgive" imply?

This line suggests that the breakup was perhaps mutual or amicable on the surface, or that the narrator made a conscious decision to release any blame or resentment. However, it contrasts sharply with his inner turmoil and persistent hope for their return, showing the complexity of his feelings.

Fun Facts about 'Jealous':

'Jealous' was released in 2014 and quickly became one of Labrinth's most recognizable and beloved songs, praised for its raw emotional honesty.
The song gained significant popularity and is frequently covered by other artists due to its powerful lyrical content and melodic structure.
It's often considered a classic modern heartbreak ballad, resonating with a wide audience for its universal themes of love, loss, and envy.