Susanna Hoffs, co-lead singer of The Bangles, wonders if her boyfriend's feelings are as intense as hers in the idyllic ballad "Eternal Flame."
A silken keyboard and angelic strings open the single, setting an innocent tone. Hoffs starts with the chorus. She asks her boyfriend to put his hand on her heart and concentrate on the beating. She softly presses him to find out if he can grasp the complexity of her love. Their relationship is solid and loving yet she questions. She's concerned it won't last.
"Close your eyes/Give me your hand, darlin'/Do you feel my heart beating/Do you understand/Do you feel the same/Am I only dreaming/Is this burning an eternal flame."In the first chorus, she thinks their relationship was fated. As he sleeps, she brushes strands of hair away from his face and feels his chest rise and fall. She has found someone who is able to laugh at her jokes and gets her. They get each other.
"I believe/It's meant to be, darlin'/I watch you when you are sleeping/You belong with me/Do you feel the same/Am I only dreaming/Or is this burning (burning) an eternal flame."In the bridge, Hoffs says that when he talks to her, he soothes her. When she is having a terrible day, he is able to reason with her. He reminds her that she's a wonderful person. It scares her that he may leave unexpectedly one day.
"Say my name/Sun shines through the rain/A whole life so lonely/And then you come and ease the pain/I don't want to lose this feeling, oh."A gentle guitar has a solo.
The strings swell as the bridge is repeated again.
The chorus is sung four times to end the single.
"Eternal Flame" is an exquisite ballad. It's the subtle angst in the lyrics which Hoffs effortessly conveys. Her self-conciousness regarding her strong feelings has caused to be distressed. She can't quite believe someone may love her back the same way. She has found what she's always wanted. Yet, it doesn't seem real.
Also notable is the graceful music arrangement which fit Hoff's vulnerable vocals well. The strings add, instead of distract, to the lyrics. They provide softness and fraility to the song.
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