This Boy

The speaker feels hurt and jealous because someone else has taken the person they love. Even so, the speaker still hopes to be reunited with them. The mood moves between longing, confidence that the rival will fail, and a willingness to suffer for love.

The repeated contrast between “this boy” and “that boy” separates the speaker from the rival: the speaker presents himself as devoted, while suggesting the other person is unkind or unsuitable. Saying the rival “won’t be happy ’til he’s seen you cry” implies that he may take pleasure in causing pain, though the lyrics give no proof beyond the speaker’s claim. The speaker’s willingness to accept pain suggests that getting the loved one back matters more than avoiding hurt.

The song can be heard as a sincere declaration of loyalty, but the speaker may not be a fully reliable judge of the rival. His jealousy could shape how he describes him. There is also a tension in the speaker’s devotion: he says he would be happy simply to love the person, yet he strongly wants them back. The lyrics leave open whether this is selfless love, possessiveness, or a mixture of both.