I think it's noteworthy she uses the term "Labour." It may just be because it fits best rhythmically, but for me it also evokes the idea of pregnancy and birth, and women being seen as just a vessel for babies.

This song gets right at the heart of the pain, the anger, and the bone-deep exhaustion that echo throughout the experiences of women past and present. Paloma's lyrics stand an all-encompassing metaphor for the struggles that she speaks to and the cycles that women face generation after generation. The capillaries in the eyes don't only burst when someone is overtired or when they are strangled - they can also burst in childbirth as well, echoing the lines that reference being a baby machine and the horror of what fate faces future daughters within this self-perpetuating system. To work and work with no end, to struggle against the ties that keep us and the pressures that push against us until we feel we will crumble, but can never seem to break free from. Her words cannot help but continue to reverberate in our time.

I love this song so dearly. I'm the daughter who witnessed her mother do everything for my father. I thankfully didn't grow up in an abusive household, so seeing my mom do everything, EVERYTHING for my dad never registered as a bad thing until all eyes landed on me during a family function to clean up after everybody. How the men seemed literally incapable of doing a single domestic thing themselves. How a days work of cooking, cleaning and serving is what made me a woman... Absolutely. Infuriating. I'm at the age where I see my mother's exhaustion, and it's devastating. And the guilt I feel when the men in my life have to do anything themselves... This song is just an absolute masterpiece. And I love your analysis ❤️

To me, 10:00 could also be a reference to this quote from Bonnie Burstow, “Often father and daughter look down on mother (woman) together. They exchange meaningful glances when she misses a point. They agree that she is not bright as they are, cannot reason as they do. This collusion does not save the daughter from the mother’s fate.” The daugther does what the father taught her, but she will inevitably meet the same fate as the mother when her time comes.

I had recently left Mormonism when this song got popular. At the time, it helped me process the life that I had escaped: a patriarchal Mormon marriage. That is, if I had gotten married, that's what I would have had. It made me think of all the labor that women do in that church without being given equal footing in leadership. And now it makes me think of all the polygamous wives of all the prophets. I was rarely taught about any wives, not their names or contributions, but we sang songs and watched films idolizing the men. We don't like to think about polygamy much anymore, and therefore so many women have been ignored in our history. I'm feeling the rage that they were not allowed to feel. I'm cleaning up the generational cycle.

"growing up a girl letting people do things to you for years and years means your anger will turn biblical. anger that is incoherent unidentifiable inconsolable. not like an anger that turns to faith for help i mean an anger that is so potent its connected to the universe and its something something somehow wrath of god and wrath towards god" - a quote that haunts me from tumblr

i think it’s really powerful (and very sad) that so many modern women relate so intensely to these lyrics that are not so modern. this concept has traveled with us through time. the struggles women have faced in the past are still very real in modern society. i think about showing this song to a woman from the past. she would understand the lyrics. these struggles bring women from every time period together.

I remember this circulating while the song was still in promotion, but during the bridge, Paris is accompanied in her singing by what sounds to be a children's choir. It's easy to take away from that creative choice that the children singing not only represents how this happens starting from a young age of indoctrination about what a woman should do, but also the generational trauma side of womanhood. It reminds me of those stories of families where the men sit in the dining room, while all the women, from the daughter's to the grandmothers, do all the cleaning and cooking, and all the stress is burdened on them to make the event special. I absolutely adore your videos, and analyses of art, especially since it is pretty much entirely art I already love and consume. Keep making content at your pace, it is incredibly interesting and entertaining.

i also see the first few lines as a reference to suicide. the woman wants to kill herself because of the ridiculous amount of pain she experienced but the man doesnʼt let her even though itʼs obvious that he just. doesnʼt love her. almost as if he /wants/ her to suffer.

I loved the double meaning in the lines "Apologies from my tongue, but never yours, busy lapping from flowing cup, and stabbing with your fork" I feel like it conjures the imagery of his gluttony but the stabbing fork could also be his sharp forked tongue and words, calling back to the first verse.

This song is why, at 50, i am single and am happy to stay that way. Its exhaustion - and happiness at finally having my independence back.

one thing someone pointed out on tik tok is that their are children singing with her in the last verse and i think that really shows what she was talking about with having the same fate. even little girls know what their fate is on some level. And that even while still being children their fate has been sealed already

I just want to say men use weaponized incompetence early and not just in romantic relationships. I can’t count how many times in school I’ve been tasked with doing the presentation/ handwriting school work because ”you’re better at it”

I heard she was inspired after reading the book "Circe" about a witch in the Greek story "The Odyssey". The story is seen through her eyes. The lyrics are timeless for women 3,000+ yrs ago to today. Nothing has changed for many women the world over.

the line about “just an appendage” sounds like a reference to adam and eve where eve was made from adams rib, she isn’t her own being just there to serve his needs, procreate etc (sorry if this is inaccurate i’m not well versed in christianity))

When I first listened to this song I couldn't help myself but cry. I was the product of a relationship like this; I was the daughter. Paloma's lyrics hit deep as it perfectly encapsulates the bitter anger and silent resentment until you break and just leave. The capillaries line also caught me, as my mothers burst when she was in labour with me, but they can also burst due to physical abuse. And the child choir in the background really makes it cut deeper considering it almost 'echos down the generations', continuing the cycle on and on with every daughter born.

Yes, I knew it was going to be this song! I'm not a woman myself, but the lyrics felt so powerful when I first heard them. And the way she signs sounds so angry, and it's not a bad anger, but a good kind of anger that strives for change and justice, the kind which causes earthquakes and topples pillars. It's amazing. Love your analysis as always!

The capillaries often also burst during childbirth, I really love that touch and so many meanings in each line

I hadn't even considered the double meaning of labor -- it's not just about childbirth, but also the work it takes to free yourself from an abusive relationship. It's bringing into being your own new life, a rebirth of yourself. And it's also a true act of love for the next generation that will hopefully help bring forth a better future.

This song kind of hits home. My dad was manipulative and controlling. Mom did work out of home but she mostly did the work of taking care of me. She helped me with homework, dressed me like a princess, and made my lunches. I love both parents though but I love my mom alot more. Luckily I won't be in the same marriage situation as my mom as I have a twin flame and my intuition says I am meant to marry my twin flame. Twin flames are mirrors to each other and have happily ever after and true eternal love. So My twin flame and I will write our own vows as Twin Flames never really part in death. Twin flames have paradise together even in death. When I die from old age, I will still be with my twin flame because my soul is his soul. I have the feminine half and when my twin flame and I meet and fall in love, kiss, and stuff, my half of the soul and his half will merge. Also when I mentioned to my dad that I want to have my own kids. He said he has enough grandchildren and that really stung me. I wanted to cry, like my mom does want grandchildren and my dad does need to think about my mom and my future in laws. And my future husband. My twin flame. He and I will have kids whether my dad likes it or not. And I want him to treat the kids ( and there will be more than 2 kids.) That I have with my twin flame like he treats all of his grandkids that he already has. If he treats them badly, I will call my mom and in laws and tell them, then go with my man , kids, and maybe friends to spend the night with my half brother in law. We all have a choice as to whether we want kids or not.

13:02 it can also be interpreted as lift the index finger as in pointing the “mistakes” or that she isn’t doing enough. I presuppose that it’s intended this to have double, triple or more meanings, as you say it comes down to experiences and i found it devastating that we can have so many meanings to something so simple that it’s to lift a finger.

8:55 thank you so much for your honesty. Just over three years ago, I was at the tail end of a long road of addiction. Part of that road was an extremely physically abusive relationship. When it all came to a head and my injuries required hospitalization; I reached out to my attacker several times begging for his forgiveness. Begging for him to be with me. Thank God and all that is the Divine Feminine, my mother and sister got to me first. This used to embarrass me, but now I share it with the appropriate audience any chance I get. Long before the first strike, mental and emotional abuse wrapped around and inside of me. Hearing you share your experience has helped to validate my own. Thank you.

The Madonna-Whore complex doesn't just extend to men, women still tend to sort each other into either category. It's fucked yet true. I've never been in a romantic relationship at least not one that lasted longer than a week(commitment issues) so for me, I took all this to apply to my relationship with my parents. It's that same harsh words with out realising and work, work work, and expectations with no appreciation or understanding. Your analyses are really great. I hope you keep posting.

„For somebody I thought was my saviour You sure make me do a whole lot of labour“ In the honeymoon phase of a relationship the new partner can appear to be the savior who snatches a person away from their cruel parents - or from an abusive spouse. Only after the relationship is settled and both are isolated on an island (so to say), the new partner shows their real face - and it turns out they’re also an abuser.

The song just leaves me in tears, and this analysis is spot on. The weaponized false incompetence as a form of abuse that is something often overlooked. That lyric really got me. Recently, I was preparing food when my partner shouted from the other room. I called back that I'd be just a minute (Trying to get something into the oven) but he shouted more, so I came running. He wanted me to take his empty coffee cup. It sounds so innocuous, but that's just the smallest taste of every moment of every day. Also, "so that he never lifts a finger" might have a third meaning. Abuse is often verbal. Accusations and constant criticism. This is the meaning that struck me.

I'm so glad you have made this video. Labour is one of those songs that really needs to be heard by anyone that can relate, because it can voice so many aspects of being a woman. My favourite line is "it's not an act of love if you make her" because it's a societal pattern to categorise acts of service as a love language most common in women. And yes, it's sometimes true, but more often than not it's a woman or a young girl raised in a culture of learning how to be a subservient home maker. She does all those things for her partner, sometimes because there's that underlying fear of being deemed unattractive if she doesn't know how to take care of him. This may be a reach but it also reminds me of how men live life having a constant 'mother' figure (once again, Freud had a hateably fair point); as a child they have their mothers or sisters, and as adults they have their wives/ partners. And whether or not the man is aware of it, he has this subconscious expectation that the woman is supposed to "tend the orchard" or to "fetch the water", and if she doesn't then she is naturally deserving of "emotional torture" as she isn't loving him correctly. It's so infuriating to watch it repeat over generations, and terrifying to see that people of the newer generation are not aware of/ don't wish to break the cycle. The visuals of Paris' video are also very intriguing and captivating. Watching your weekly videos has honestly become part of my routine and it's such a lovely thing to look forward to 😭 PS: The only way I'd like to be loved is like a Hozier song

I was hoping you'd cover this song! I only discovered Paris Paloma a few months ago with "the fruits" and I've honestly been obsessed, it's amazing how someone so young can encapsulate centuries of women's struggle so well. If I were to add anything I'd say that one of the strongest aspects of the song is the title itself, it sums up the core idea perfectly, and it made me think of the concepts of emotional labour and marxist feminism's reproductive labour. Also, if you like Paris I highly recommend checking out Kiki Rockell, she has a similar vibe and is also incredibly talented :) I'm loving this new wave of female rage in music, I feel like we've always had angry feminist anthems but this rage in particular adds an ancestral touch that I don't remember witnessing before.

It's never pathetic to be a victim of a manipulator. You did the best you could to protect yourself.

Even as someone that feels these lyrics deeply, I love the amount of nuance that can still be taken from these lyrics at the end. Also as an autistic woman, I definitely feel like my masking does intersect with general emotional labor that women perform????

I remember first hearing the first line of the second verse as “Apologies FOR my tongue, BUT never yours” And I think it actually works no matter which way you hear that lyric

I listened to this song on repeat for WEEKS and it still gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes when I hear it. Hearing you break down the lyrics was so powerful, especially the part in the second verse when she talks about if they had a daughter. I started crying when you were reading that bit because it resonates with me so deeply. Sometimes you don't have the courage to leave an oppressive situation for yourself, but thinking about the next generation of women and making things better for them pushes you to that point. As someone who recently left a high demand religion, "somebody I thought was my savior" carries an even deeper meaning for me too, because I was taught my whole life that I needed a good husband to ensure my literal eternal salvation in the next life, which is truly insane.

This was very eloquently said and a lot of the comments are introspective and interesting 😊

ahh i love this so much! my main thought when hearing this song was the handmaid's tale, with the links to the noose, escape and bodily autonomy (the red caped figure in the cover too!) also the double meaning of "labour" to mean both physical labour - work, and labour as in birth i felt linked to the way women are presented in the novel. obviously THT is built upon issues women have faced historically so links back go everything you mentioned too :) thank you, i loved your hozier and florence videos too

What an amazing video. This song is really, really good. I get chills during the chorus and at the end of the song with the multiple voices singing together. I like to imagine that these voices represent that fight for women's rights is collective. The burden of domestic work is something that influences so many aspects of women's lives: the freedom to work, to build a career, to participate politically in decision-making positions (these issues are especially prevalent in emerging countries where domestic work is predominantly done by women, as you said)... Amazing video as always!!!!!

she recently released a version of this called "The Cacophony" that I highly recommend you listen to. it really hits hard

I'm new here and I just love your videos, and the way you approach the subjects. First with the Hozier video, and now withs tis one AMAZING I'm non binary, and was assigned male at birth, so it really isn't my place to understand every nuance of this song, and really feel what its about, but as queer person, you also have this double standard, this rage and this pressure to conform to rules that don't make sense... this song has been on repeat for weeks in my head...

Thank you for this break down. I felt all of this from just listening but you put everything into words that I couldn’t. ❤

The painful thing to me is that even if we don't have it ourselves, we know someone who has a trauma that is told in Labour. And we all know that it could be us. I know off five women in my family who were abused in their marriage or relationship. And that is just from the top off my head. And it makes me so angry and sad that I can barely express it.

I love your video! I also think the line near the beginning where she states that her escape was "carefully timed" may also refer to the fact that it's before she has a child which would complicate her leaving because of this second person that she would have to consider.

**** I know this is a lyric analysis video and not an analysis of the MV but I need a place to point out these genius details so bear with me**** A year late lol but just wanted to add my two cents. In the music video I noticed that the wife serves the husband and he gorges himself on the feast that she's made but, the wife never eats. This to me, was a metaphor for women always prioritizing everyone over themselves and always giving but never receiving. Towards the end the wife reaches for a pomegranate and very deliberately devours it. Pomegranates are a symbol of fertility and power, so reaching for the pomegranate was the wife taking her power back. I also noticed that there is a candle that is lit on the wife's side but not the husband's. I supposes that's another metaphor for how women put in so much effort into sustaining relationships and 'burn' themselves out. When the candle has burnt out towards the end of the mv, the wife has left. Also the lyrics ' So that he never lifts a finger' couild have three possible meanings: 1. So that he doesn't have to do any work 2. So that he doesn't physically abuse her 3. So that he never points an accusing finger at her.

I came to your channel from the hozier video. And im here to stay!

This was my most listened to song this year

The muse itself for this song is an interesting one. Its nice to see a more mature and heavy topic in music blow up and how it can serve as an artistic inspiration.

For me, the "it's not an act of love if you make her" refers to r@pe/forced pregnancy. Growing up in an ultra-religious environment, the best thing a woman could do is have as many kids as possible, regardless of her desires. Especially with "24/7 baby machine so he can live out his picket fence dream" these verses made me think of my upbringing. I'm so glad to be out of that environment! Loved this analysis and the song!

This was really insightful and helped me understand a lot of elements to the lyrics that I missed. Thanks for making the video :)

I use this song in my religious practice to call in goddess energy. Like when it’s goddess reminding us of all the labour she does but not as a complaint but as an alter to all that she is. All day every day Therapist mother maid nymph than a virgin nurse than a servant All the things goddess is to us And the line just an appendage live to attend him. Is like a sarcastic jab referencing male disposability

I adore your mind

Thanks for the analysis, its much appreciated. In the next view months I was going to discuss this song on a podcast and I've really felt like it was a modern protest song about social production. Thanks for the info in this video

To me the ‘ capillaries in my eyes are bursting,” line reminded me instantly if the term “walking on eggshells”. Like, there is so much you want to say, so much you want to do but you cannot say it for fear of retaliation. So instead, you hold it in, and it slowly kills you. Also, very similar to suffocation, which could also be another metaphor for constantly having to walk on eggshells and never be able to actually talk about the problem without completely blowing up. This song is absolutely fascinating to me. There’s so many lines in it, that I can relate to as a woman. Very very awesome analysis. I enjoyed watching this. It was a little hard at times, but was very insightful and the song is still incredibly empowering to me!❤

I love your videos so much!! I did not expect to be so early but I have been listening to this song on repeat for weeks.

I fucking love your analysis, they always make me so emotional... i don't know why but i always thought about "The capillaries in my eyes are bursting" to be a visual representation of what happens when you go into labor, like you push so hard the capillaries of your eye burst.... idk why but pregnancy was what first cross my mind, maybe because she later refers to having a daughter idk...

you are a master in song analysis this was LOVELY

To me the line "this was an escape plan" originally had me thinking about the characters marrage as a whole, it being an escape from the ridicule and disgust that alot of windowed and single women would get for not having a husband

I'm so in love with those videos 🫀

Another great video!!

I cried so hard after watching this video.:(

Love your channel, found it through the Hozier video.

l'm so happy that I found your videos, you always manage to talk about songs in a way that I could never put into words. for the q&a, hozier uses a lot of references to greek mythology and religious symbolism in his songs. I was wondering if you have any literature recommendations for someone that is new to those kind of topics and wants to know more about it. have a lovely day!

I've always thought if the "lifting a finger" as a gesture if accusation if the woman did anything erong or didn't do everything he asked for and then he gets mad at her

The ending part in the video where she has bloody face ...the way her hair is reminds me of Thomasin from the vvitch movie (idk it could be just me but she just pop in my head in that part of music video) GREAT VIDEO ❤

i feel like you'd love paris paloma's other songs she has out, especially yeti because i cannot get enough of the lyrics

I love watching analysis videos of the things i love because they tend to make me love them more, and you're becoming one of my favorites with it, i feel like i could trust you. Anyway for the q&a, do you have some book recommendations 🤗

Your way of talking and analyzing is always so eloquent and deep-rooted, like a wise and mighty tree. I am curious if you know of a song/could make a video about womanhood for those who never fit neatly in one or the other gender box. I identify as a demi female and I always struggled with my feminity as I did not experience womanhood like my fellow sisters. The good and the bad (catcalling, sexism, traumatic relationships you name it). But I also definitely can not identify with manhood. It is a strange feeling, something along the line of not having a real home. So curious to hear your thoughts.

I found your channel through your first Hozier video and have not stopped watching since. Every time you post I look forward to engaging my mind in a lovely way. We seem to enjoy the same type of music and I highly recommend another one of Paris’ songs- the fruits. It talks about similar issues but in a different way. It’s very biblical and the melody has, at least in my opinion, that “Hozier-forest-fae” vibe if you get what I mean?😅 But seeing as you seem to like Paris you probably already know the song. I just wanted to say that I really liked this video especially your explanation of the madonna-whore complex. I think this theory is so sad and objectifies women so much. It’s particularly sad because that’s how a lot of men “excuse” cheating- by not being attracted to their partner and “having” to seek out other women. It perpetuates the idea of women not doing enough in their relationship and guilt trips us into thinking it’s our own fault. It’s very clear to me that this theory could only stem from a man who hasn’t felt the oppression we had to face. I’m almost sure that if more men knew of this theory they would excuse that behaviour by telling us it’s not their fault it’s just that complex that they have. And I think the song labour just perfectly sums up that frustration of everything we had to endure at the hands of a man. Anyways, sorry for the long comment and if you managed to read all of this, love your vids and I feel like I’m analysing songs with a friend. it’s so fun Yours truly, James❤️

The music video for this song really reminded me of Dinner and Diatribes... would you do a comparison of the two?

might i recommend 'same old energy' by kiki rockwell

I i took it to mean the same thing as well

I like playing around with who is singing in this song. Like pretending like it’s the man singing the lines at some points and the woman at others. To highlight the feeling of male disposability and how marriage can feel like a work contract at some points. It to take away from the power of the female pov in this song. When I listen to feels like the song is dispelling toxicity from both sides of the dynamic of the heterosexual child rearing pair

Question for the Q&A potentially: Which artists do you listen to and resonate with most lyrically? Which artists make you want to rant about their work because you love it so much? I love tlaking music with people who are as devoted and passionate about it as you are, and I'd love to hear what you have to say!

I’m 39, married at 18 (I was raised Mormon. Getting married young was normal). Please younger women, don’t get married. Have a committed partner if you like but don’t get married. Something about the titles, the legal document, this history of marriage and ownership - men take it all for granted in marriage. Don’t sacrifice your autonomy and freedom for anyone please. Please 🙏

She’s only 22? Wow

Labour is great but drywall shows that Paris Paloma is going to milk this specific genre of emotions and outrage in the fullest.

it’s not a feminine experience. it’s a female experience. women get certain expectations placed on them, especially in hetero relationships, that men don’t

If you like this song I would check out Kiki Rockwell! She is really good and her songs encapsulate this song as well.

Not necessarily related to Labour, but my recent experience in the world of being a woman. My boyfriend and I bought a house and we moved in three weeks ago. The WiFi had to be installed so a man from the company came over while my partner was at work. Even though I don't find myself very pretty, I made sure I looked horrible. Baggy clothing, no makeup and greasy hair. This man grabbed my ass and pushed himself against my body three times. As a woman who was sexually abused for years I froze completely. It's absolutely ridiculous that my partner now has to be adamant about taking time off so he can be present if an unknown man comes over.

I adore your mind