The song “Jealous” by Labrinth tells us a story of someone who has lost what he once had. The lyrics captures the memories he once shared and through the use of different words, the song tells us to what extent this loss has had an effect on him. An African saying which goes like this: “a cow does not know the usefulness of its tail until it loses it” (paraphrase) can be seen in this song as the artist actually finds it hard to admit (but eventually does) that he is Jealous. By doing so, he inadvertently gives away that fact that he still has feelings for his lover. Furthermore, the lyrics show us the consequences of inaction and leaving things to chance. The artist did not actively go in pursuit of his lover but kept hoping that his lover would come running back into his arms. He tries his best to hide his pain but alas even behind his smile, his pain exists.
"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
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