The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Half-Life" by the artist "X Ambassadors"

In "Half-Life," X Ambassadors explore the transformative power of love. The lyrics depict a protagonist who has spent a significant portion of his life feeling empty and incomplete. He engaged in self-destructive behaviors ("ripping out my heart," "crying myself to sleep") as a way to cope with the pain of loneliness. He tried "every dumb thing" to fill the void within him, but nothing seemed to work.

The arrival of his lover marks a turning point in his life. He describes his existence before her as a "half-life," devoid of genuine emotion and meaning. It's only through loving her that he experiences the fullness of life and truly begins to feel. The intimate moment shared in the car ("When you kiss me in your car in the dark") symbolizes the intensity of their love, which makes him "fall apart" with overwhelming emotion.

The repetition of the lines "I was living a half-life / My whole life / 'Til I loved you" emphasizes the magnitude of the transformation the protagonist undergoes through love. His existence has been irrevocably altered, and he is finally able to embrace the beauty and fullness of life.