Interpretation of Christina Perri's song "Jar of Hearts"

Summary

This song is about loving someone, then that someone leaves you. You're hurt. Then, you try to move on. It wasn't easy but you're close to forgetting that person, and suddenly he comes back. And you can't trust him back that fast because of all the trauma he has brought you.

I

"I know I can’t take one more step towards you,
Cause all that's waiting is regret.
Don’t you know I’m not your ghost anymore?
You lost the love I loved the most."

Verse I tells that she's trying to stay away from him, because she knows that she can still fall back for him if he does. But she would really regret it if it would happen, because he has changed, he wasn't the man she used to love, and she's not going to chase for his love and attention anymore(not your ghost anymore).

II

"I learned to live, half alive,
And now you want me one more time"

Verse II means that she once almost died when they parted, and now he's coming back.

III

"And who do you think you are?
Runnin’ ’round leaving scars,
Collecting your jar of hearts,
and Tearing love apart.
You’re gonna catch a cold,
From the ice inside your soul.
So don’t come back for me.
Who do you think you are?"

(Line 1-4) She's telling that he should stop being a playboy/womanizer, because all he's doing is hurting people. He has already hurt a lot of hearts(girls).

(Line 5,6) A hyperbolic statement that emphasizes on his coldness, or inability to feel for people(empathy or sympathy).

IV

"And it took so long just to feel alright.
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes?
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed,
Cause you broke all your promises,
And now you’re back.
You don’t get to get me back."

(Line 1,2) It took her so long to move on and to remind herself of the things that she has to be thankful of and to look forward to.

(Line 3,4) She regrets having experienced their relationship, because it only gave her false hopes.

(Line 5,6) And now he's back(Probably asking for her forgiveness), but she'll wont let him fool her again, because she knows his ways.