Tessa Dalton’s classic single,” Love but Not Really,” analyzes emotion, longing, and the self-awareness that can come from both. With an ethereal voice that expresses vulnerability and strength, Dalton guides listeners into a deeply personal place where love isn’t always what it seems.
The track begins with a soft piano, establishing an emotional unraveling. Dalton’s angelic vocals float seamlessly over the melody, creating an immediate intimacy. But what makes “Love but Not Really” so irresistible isn’t only its gorgeous instrumentation but how she encapsulates the universal sensation of coming to terms with the realization that what you once believed to be love may not have been love at all.
Her lyrics describe an emotional awakening where the heart starts to run through its catalog of past loves. It’s a song for anyone who has second-guessed their feelings, found themselves at the crossroads of love and illusion, or found clarity amid confusion. The raw truthfulness in her voice makes every lap of a line feel like a revelation, drawing listeners into her narrative even as it mirrors their own, drawing listeners into her narrative even as it mirrors their own.
