Hope Is A Heartache

"**Hope Is A Heartache**" is a song by Swedish pop singer LÉON from her self-titled debut album, *LÉON* (2019). It was released alongside the album on 1 March 2019 under LÉON Recordings.

## Background & composition

"Hope Is A Heartache" was written by LÉON and music duo Electric, who also produced the track. It was written in London during the summer of 2018.

In an interview with Idolator, LÉON confirmed that she wrote around 14 verses for "Hope Is A Heartache" before deciding on the final version. The verses all still exist on her phone, but she is unsure if they will ever be shared: "Maybe I’ll share them with people. It’s just everything is very specific. I don’t know if I’d be able to put it out. [...] But it kind of became like, when you read all the verses, what you get is a full story."

It was the only track on the album that LÉON's manager did not agree with her on: "Usually we’re on the same page about everything. I asked him: 'Is there any song you don’t like.' He said: 'Well, I’m not a fan of "Hope Is A Heartache." I just don’t get it.' I thought, OK, I’m gonna put it on anyway!"

"Hope Is A Heartache," similar to "Come Home To Me" and "Pink," is a song that is specifically auto-biographical.

It is one of LÉON's favorites on the album.

## Release

A week before its release, LÉON posted a clip of her singing "Hope Is A Heartache" over a piano, with a caption explaining some of the song's background.

"Hope Is A Heartache" was officially released on 1 March 2019 alongside the rest of the album.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

Stuck in emotions and I don't know what they mean

Keep thinking about us and how things get in between

But if it is love, it doesn't matter, you don't belong to me

But I think you know, hmm

I'm lost in your city, I was hoping we could meet

But you keep your distance, maybe I should let it be

And if it is love, it doesn't matter, but still it gets to me

And I think you know, know, know, know, know

When I talk about you, I'm afraid to say too much

Somebody asked about you, if there's something more to us

But if it is love, doesn't matter, there's nothing to discuss

And I think you know

Oh-whoa

**[Chorus]**

Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

If it is love, it doesn't matter

But still I gotta know, I gotta know

Oh-whoa

**[Verse 2]**

Think back to the hotel, to where no one else could see

Us two in the hallway saying things you shouldn't say to me

And if that is love, then what's the point now? You got someone to hold

But does she know, know?

Oh, whoa

All the moments that I ran from

Always thought you'd wait for me

Now this hope is but a heartache that lives inside of me

And if it is love, then what's the point now?

You got someone to hold

But still it hurts, and it makes me wonder

**[Chorus]**

Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

If it is love, it doesn't matter

But still I gotta know, I gotta know

Oh-whoa

**[Bridge]**

It's like we're sitting on dynamite

But we're not ready to start a fight

Is it too late to figure it out?

Just say you're ready

It's like we're sitting on dynamite

But we're not ready to start a fight

Is it too late to figure it out?

'Cause I've been wondering

**[Outro]**

Stuck in emotions and I don't know what they mean

Keep thinking about us and how things get in between

But if it is love, it doesn't matter, you don't belong to me

But I can't let go

## Videos

### Official videos

LÉON - Hope Is A Heartache (Audio)Official audio
### Live performances

Main article: Live Performances
LÉON — Hope Is A Heartache (Clip)Instagram clip (Feb. 21, 2019)LÉON – Hope Is A Heartache (Live from the Fade Into A Dream Tour)Fade Into A Dream Tour (Jun. 26, 2022)
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nied, Mike. “LÉON Talks Colorful Debut Album, ‘Want You Back,’ and More: Interview.” *Idolator*, 5 Mar. 2019, www.idolator.com/7714495/leon-interview-album-touring.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Phillips, Aimee. “LÉON.” *EUPHORIA.*, 8 Oct. 2019, www.euphoriazine.com/blog/2019/10/interviews-leon-interview.