Return to Sender · Track 21
For when they wanted all the comfort of loving you, as long as loving you never required them to go deeper.
Inside this song
Why did my needs suddenly feel like “pressure” whenever the relationship asked for something deeper?
Wanting emotional depth, honesty, reassurance, or meaningful communication doesn’t automatically make you demanding. Sometimes two people simply have very different capacities or desires for intimacy. You shouldn’t have to erase your needs to make connection easier for someone else.
“You want the highs but none of the depth, All the warmth, but not one real step”
For when you realize they didn’t necessarily want less connection, they wanted connection that never asked them to become emotionally vulnerable.
Read the full storyLyric sheet
You said you just want something easy No drama, no pressure, no weight But I learned that "easy" just meant empty And "peace" was just your word for escape You want the highs but none of the depth All the warmth, but not one real step You say you're not good with emotion But I was never asking for devotion- just truth
[Pre-Chorus] I showed up, heart in hand You showed love, with your exit planned I gave softness, you gave rules gave soul, you played it cool
[Chorus] You want love without the layers Hands to hold without the prayers Validation when you please But no one asking what you need No fights, no tears, no risk of pain No one knocking on your shame You want me simple, sweet, and small No needs, no voice- nothing at all
[Verse 2] You like to come and go like wind Only show up when you feel thin When the world feels too loud, you crawl inside But leave me waiting on the other side You called it "chill," I called it "cold" I was real, but you just fold_ Every time I reached too far You shut the door and called it "hard"
[Pre-Chorus] You said, "don't complicate the good" But baby, you misunderstood Love takes effort, love takes fight| But you only show up when it feels light
[Chorus] You want love without the layers Hands to hold without the prayers Validation when you please But no one asking what you need No fights, no tears, no risk of pain No one knocking on your shame You want me simple, sweet, and small No needs, no voice- nothing at all
[Bridge] You want the perks, not the price A body warm, a soul on ice You say, "I'm not ready for more" But I see now -that was always the score
[Final Chorus] You want love that doesn't move No mirrors, no room for truth You want ease, but ease ain't real You just want what you don't have to feel So keep your silence, keep your walls I'm done being easy just to fall You want me empty so you don't break But I deserve love that doesn't take
About the song
For when they wanted all the comfort of loving you, as long as loving you never required them to go deeper.
The story behind
You Want Me Shallow, is about realizing that when someone says they want an “easy” relationship, sometimes what they really mean is a relationship that never asks them to go deeper.
For a long time, I thought being understanding enough could make love feel safe for someone who struggled with emotional closeness. I tried not to pressure. I gave space. I softened my needs and told myself that maybe if the relationship felt easy enough, eventually the deeper connection would come naturally. But I started realizing that “easy” had become another word for avoiding anything uncomfortable. He wanted closeness without difficult conversations. Affection without vulnerability. Connection without accountability. He wanted the parts of love that felt good without the parts that required being fully known. And I was slowly becoming smaller to fit inside that version of love.
The heart of this song is realizing that healthy love can be peaceful without being shallow. Depth doesn’t create drama. Having needs doesn’t create drama. Honest conversations don’t mean something is wrong. I don’t want a relationship where keeping the peace requires keeping everything important beneath the surface. I want something peaceful enough to feel safe and deep enough to feel real.
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