In his song Emotion Dealer, Martin Kuiper articulates raw and honest questioning of emotional suffering between loved ones. The song shows him to become ensnared in destructive habits to both himself and the object of his craving. He shows acknowledgment of causing tension, but not because he wants to, but rather his mood getting the best of him and pride getting the better of him. This shows he has high levels of self-knowledge of his own faults and the effect they have on others.

The subject of the song is insecurity and emotional manipulation. Martin describes playing games and quiet times, expecting the relationship to show signs of true love when times get tough. There is this painful truth to this behavior—using tension and sadness to test the feelings. It is more an avoidance of not being loved back, rather than an attempt to hurt.

“Emotion Dealer” is a perceptive and revealing title. It brings to mind the image of someone who deals emotions as if they’re goods—exchanging sorrow for tension. Martin is not happy to be an emotion dealer. Rather, from the lyrics, it seems he is trapped in it, as though he does not envision an escape.

There is also the feeling of deep regret. To apologize is hard for him, but he knows he has to. He describes awakening from having had a nightmare, symbolizing the pain and loneliness inflicted upon those affected. There is even, next to the regret, the need to explain and justify his actions.

Ultimately, Martin speaks of avoiding love. This being the highlight line as the understated but deepening observation. This is to say he is now able to see the trend so boldly. Typically, the lyrics to Emotion Dealer are raw and daring, revealing emotional vulnerability in the format they’re best suited, the format most listeners can relate to.