The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Erode" by the artist "Tender"

In "Erode," Tender paints a picture of a complex and contradictory relationship where the lyrical protagonist is torn between the desire to be close to their lover and the realization of the destructive influence she has on him.

The metaphor of the island and the waves vividly illustrates this dynamic. The island, symbolizing the protagonist, is gradually eroded by the sea - the feelings and actions of his beloved. He feels vulnerable and passive in the face of her volatile moods ("you rush in, then you recede from me").

Despite the pain and uncertainty, the protagonist is ready for anything for love ("I will move mountains"), but at the same time realizes that his own personality is dissolving in this relationship ("I think I'm starting to break").

The contradictory feelings are intensified by the repetition of the phrase "you will leave, but you will return," emphasizing the instability and dependence in this relationship. The advantage accumulates "not in his favor," hinting that he gives more than he receives.

At the end of the song, the protagonist acknowledges his passive role, repeating the phrase "if that's what you want, then that's what I'll be." This speaks of his willingness to sacrifice himself for love, even if it destroys him.