Unconditionally - Katy Perry

by Benjamin O'Loughlin 

Experience: Too close for comfort. That's love. Strength and confidence aren't enough. You have to trust. You have to let people get close enough to hurt you... or love you.

Music Video: The bleak gray the lyric video transmitted the heart of Unconditionally:  you have to let down your guard, and let people get close enough to hurt you, or they'll never get close enough to love you. The music video builds on that, alternating between extravagant ball room and lonely frozen tundra. Flowers and ice are Katy Perry's way of showing the two extremes of beauty and unworthiness that we all carry around with us. Without the, passion - the flaming bed - is empty. Under some of the same lesbian and gay overtones that were in the lyric video, Unconditionally still does a good job of transmitting the depth of true love: when you cherish and care for the fragile, vulnerable gift of trust, it grows, and the love keeps spreading - the baby and children that appear halfway through the music video.

Meaning of Unconditionally: Katy Perry is dead on when she defines true love as "too close". Love is too close for comfort. You can't hide you are or what you've been. You can only hope for acceptance... and offer yours. That's a risk. That could hurt. But it's the only way to love. Roar was security and strength. Unconditionally is the other half of love: trust leaves you exposed and vulnerable, but it's the only way to transform your strength from a threat into a precious gift.

Ask Yourself: Have you let anyone get close enough to hurt you... or love you?

LYRICS:

Oh no, did I get too close?

Oh, did I almost see what's really on the inside?

All your insecurities

All the dirty laundry

Never made me blink one time

Unconditional, unconditionally

I will love you unconditionally

There is no fear now

Let go and just be free

I will love you unconditionally

Come just as you are to me

Don't need apologies

Know that you are unworthy

I'll take your bad days with your good

Walk through this storm I would

I'd do it all because I love you, I love you

Unconditional, unconditionally

I will love you unconditionally

There is no fear now

Let go and just be free

I will love you unconditionally

So open up your heart and just let it begin

Open up your heart, and just let it begin

Open up your heart, and just let it begin

Open up your heart

Acceptance is the key to be

To be truly free

Will you do the same for me?

Unconditional, unconditionally

I will love you unconditionally

And there is no fear now

Let go and just be free

'Cause I will love you unconditionally (oh yeah)