Music Review: Hilary Duff "With Love"

Hilary Duff

With Love

Album: Dignity

Year: 2007

Hilary Duff depends on her boyfriend to calm her down in the relatable “With Love.”

  Levelheaded synths open the single, setting a clear-cut tone. She noticed her boyfriend was quiet, which is unlike him. Usually, after work he’s talking about his co-workers and the crazy customers he had. She asks him what’s wrong and he responds that he wants to talk. He explains to her that he thinks she doesn’t love him anymore and wants to break up. She immediately tells him no. She’s happy with him. She goes on to say that she’s glad he let her know. She gets involved in her own stuff, starts stressing out and then takes it on him. (“I don't mind you telling me what's been on your mind lately/I don't mind you speaking up/I know sometimes I can be all wrapped up and into me/I can be in such a rush.”)

  In the pre-chorus, she tells him it’s ok for him to intervene when she begins snapping at him. She needs him to put his arm around her shoulder and comfort her. She relies on him to help her see through her irrational thoughts. (“Just slow me down, slow me down/Tell me tomorrow everything will be around/Just slow me down, slow me down/You're the one who keeps me on the ground.”)

 In the chorus, she wants him to be upfront with her and call her out when she snaps at him. She won’t take it as an insult. As long as he is caring with his criticism, she’ll be handle it. (“Baby, you can be tough, say enough is enough/You can even be blunt just do it with love, love, love Tell me I'm wrong, that I'm coming on way too strong/Don't think I'd be crushed just do it with love, love, love, love/Just do it with love, love, love, love/ Just do it with love.”)

    She would rather him talk with her than hold it in, causing a huge argument months later. His opinion is important to her and she wants to be a good girlfriend for him. He’s helped her through conflicts with her parents and she says it’s her turn now. Without him, she would’ve made some unfixable bad decisions. (“I can take your honesty, all your words weigh heavily/Listening to you all the time/I wanna be there for you, the way you been there for me/ Always help me walk the line.”)

In the pre-chorus, he has seen her at her worst. He has the patience of a saint. She can count on him to stick it out with her. (“And slow me down, slow me down/I know you will always be around.”)

The chorus is sung again.

In the bridge, she says that after three years together, they have built a solid relationship. They are best friends as well as lovers. They can tell each other everything. (“All this time we finally know each other/Now that I've been leaning on your shoulder/I can tell you baby that you're right when you're right/You're wrong when you're wrong/And I can be weak 'cause I know you'll be strong!”)

   The chorus is sung twice.

   At the end, she repeats “just do it with love” six times.

  Duff’s sensitive, secure vocals are reassuring. Her boyfriend can be an emotional guy and sometimes she forgets. He usually lets her rant, even if he becomes the target. Afterwards, she feels awful for treating him as though he didn’t have any feelings. She thinks the conversation has strengthened their relationship.

   The mature “With Love” addresses the common issue of miscommunication in relationships and deals with it in a rational manner.