Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Eat You Alive” by The Oh Hellos
“Eat You Alive” by The Oh Hellos is an energetic and provocative song about something that is universal: human connection. At its core, it speaks to how deeply we need each other and how powerful those connections can be.
The song begins with a call-and-response of “Can you eat me alive?” It could be the pleas of someone desperate for a connection, to be heard and seen and accepted. Or it could be an invitation—welcoming someone into the fold, to come and experience the power of a soul-satisfying connection.
The lyrics take us on a journey that alternates between the struggles and joys of two people. We hear of searching, reaching, connecting, and finding solace. As the music rises in intensity, the metaphor of “eating” takes on a more physical interpretation, as they are expressing their love with a deep and profound desire.
The potential of the relationship is expressed in the lines “We can find a world outside this one, start a fire, and never go home.” We see two people entering into a deep and profound relationship, one that is meant to last a lifetime.
The song ends with the repeated lyric “Can you eat me alive?” It can be interpreted as a plea for understanding, a way of asking for sustenance and connection. In the end, this is a song of comfort, a reminder that we are never truly alone in this world, that connection can be powerful and satisfying.