I never would've thought that the 14-year old I saw accepting an Oscar nomination in 2010 for True Grit would be able to instruct me in the ways of love, but the lyrics to Hailee Steinfeld's new song "Starving" are doing just that — and well. Like, it's honestly pretty weird for me. I mean, with my brain I realize that Steinfeld is now 19 and finding herself in the musical world as well as in the acting world, but part of me still thinks of her as a precocious kid who's accomplished more in her teenage years alone than I have in my entire life. (Oh wait, just realized she's still a teen, so this is literally still true. FML.) But if I put my ego aside, we could all learn a little something from this wunderkind, because on this new track "Starving" — which features Zedd and Grey and was released Jul. 15 as part of Steinfeld's EP HAIZ — the actress/singer perfectly describes that moment when you fall for someone. And she gets a little racy, too, so take my advice and keep reminding yourself throughout that this girl is over 18 and your memory is out-of-date.
You know just what to saySh*t that scares meI should just walk awayBut I can't move my feetThe more that I know youThe more I want toSomething inside me has changedI was so much younger yesterday
OK, so at least I'm not the only one who feels like this represents a more mature sound for Steinfeld; she references right in the song the sensation of feeling like a different person overnight. In this case, it comes from clicking into a connection with someone new, and seeing a whole world of potential open up in front of you.
I didn't know that I was starving 'til I tasted youDon't need no butterflies when you give me the whole damn zooBy the way, by the way, you do things to my body
Ooh boy, clutch those pearls everybody, because Steinfeld is getting real about what it feels like to be attracted to someone so deeply you feel like you're losing control when they're near. She totally nails the description.
You know just how to makeMy heart beat fasterEmotional earthquakeBring on disasterYou hit me head onGot me weak in my knees
I never thought I'd say this about someone I have almost a decade of life experience on, but girl gets it. Now, in addition to an Oscar nom and a friendship with Taylor Swift, Steinfeld also has insight into the dating world that I could really only guess at. Plus, it's all wrapped up in an extremely appealing and catchy package that you can listen to below.
Honestly, is there anything she can't do?
