Bleeding Love: The Lessons Behind Leona Lewis' Lyrics

I know several people, including myself, who would want nothing more than to hit that high note flawlessly. But alas, I believe Leona Lewis' voice remains unmatched in her song "Bleeding Love." 
If you have not heard it before, you can listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzo-EL_62fQ


I am going to attempt to give my interpretation of her song, feel free to chime in with yours!

I remember back in high school, we would play music while working on our costumes for competition, etc. There was one specific instance I remember clearly when "Bleeding Love" came on. It was like the women in the room bonded over that one song! We thought we could relate to the pain, or maybe we thought it was just a good karaoke pick. Whatever the reason, be careful what you wish for, or in this case, feed your spirit: you just might live it. 

Even though I believe Leona Lewis' performance of this song hasn't been matched vocally, she represents the voice of many women, and possibly men, who experience some type of relationship-related trauma. 

For the sake of time and space, I will write this blog from the viewpoint of a woman and her "lover." I will do my best to be inclusive and gender-neutral. But I do not overlook the harrowing detail that trauma in relationships comes in many forms, as well as in many types of relationships. 

With that being said, pardon the expression, but let's dig in. Here's the complete list of lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/bleeding-love-lyrics-leona-lewis.html



Leona Lewis opens "Bleeding Love" with a stanza explaining how she is disconnected emotionally because of her past relationships. All they did was cause her pain and after a while, she didn't feel it anymore.
 [*Closed off from love... before you know it you're frozen.*]

But there's hope! She thinks. Even after her hiatus from this emotional roller coaster, she seems to be drawn back by the presence of someone new. Her heart is no longer an ice box and this might just be what she was looking for. However, she faces opposition by other people in her life. 
[*But something happened... thinking I'm going crazy.*]

She completely disregards those people because of the love she knows she has. And through their many attempts to bring her back to reality, it's not her reality. He's the truth. But not really. And she doesn't even realize that through this whole process, her emotional well-being is at stake... once again. 
[*But I don't care what they say... My heart's crippled by the vein that I keep on closing.*]

She has not fully healed and for whatever reason is being thrust back into that emotional turmoil. Probably because the person she's with now is not too different from her previous suitors. 
[*You cut me open and I keep bleeding, keep, keep bleeding love.*]

Leona once again shifts her focus on the people who are trying to talk her out of this unhealthy relationship. At this point it seems that she begins to acknowledge that they care for her and want to make sure she isn't being taken advantage of. 
[*Trying hard not to hear but they talk so loud... Yet I know that the goal is to keep me from falling.*] 

But her attention is diverted to this false love she feels because she has the presence of the one she loves and that's all she really needs. Or so she thinks. And those on the outside looking in can't understand why she won't leave. She considers that they might have a point. Maybe she is losing it.
[*But nothing's greater than the rush... Yet everyone around me thinks that I'm going crazy. Maybe. Maybe.*]

[Reread explanation: *But I don't care what they say... You cut me open...*]

Finally, she realizes how emotionally spent she has become. People might not really understand or believe that she's getting the picture: her lover isn't good for her. Now for every cut that person made, she has visible scars. This could speak to emotional, spiritual, psychological and/or even physical scars. 

I can only speak from the perspective of a woman because that's how I identify. However, this is not an uncommon situation for either gender or sexual identity. 

To whoever's reading this: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, SELF CARE!! If you are being harmed by ANYONE, in ANY WAY, listen closely: YOU DON'T DESERVE IT AND THEY DON'T DESERVE TO STAY IN YOUR BLESSED PRESENCE! 

KICK THEM OUT! IF YOU HAVE TO, LEAVE WITH THE CLOTHES ON YOUR BACK! 

If you don't, you will keep bleeding love, and you'll never heal. And those people who were true to you through thick and thin, will be there for you regardless. Don't be ashamed to speak with them. 

I've had my own experiences in which I was losing blood so fast, my head was spinning. But I made an appointment with the Master Healer, the Chief Surgeon. And as the song says, "I may have some scars, but I am HEALED!" And you can be too! 

Find a support group, a best friend, a parent, a church home, a community organization, exercise/yoga partner. Find something that will help you release! And if you need someone to talk to don't hesitate to reach out to me. Your feelings are valid, and your voice is needed! And it's probably stronger than Leona Lewis' will ever be! 

There are people out there who know your pain and struggle. 

"Reach out and touch somebody's hand, make the world a better place, if you can." 

If we do this, maybe we will all stop leaving trails of blood behind, and only our love will remain.