To me this song is the end of a long, at times insanely unhealthy but also potentially world changing relationship. One that simply doesn't come along every day, maybe twice or thrice in a lifetime.
Anyways, one of them finally figures out the relationship has to end. Lorde is the passive one here since it's the guy that's walking out in the beginning, not her. She's left to deal with it somehow by herself. Then - after the cold facts of the first verse delivered very calmly - the wave of shattering emotions come rushing in.
After the factual, almost stoic evaluation of the relationship in the first verse the bridge goes into full cynicism mode and bitter mockery. It's a retaliation reflex that often comes with unimaginable loss. The 'she' Lorde references here might be herself (the writer) or the new, future girl as well, either version works in my opinion. The ridiculous tone change and delivery sells this perfectly. She's mocking the guy but also herself and the entire situation at the same time. "Bet you regret the whole thing now, ha? Bet you wish it never even happened!"
And then the chorus comes in, stripping away the cynicism of the bridge (an obvious coping mechanism) and exposing how she truly feels. She's gonna love this guy forever, even if they time together is now over. She only needs the secret power to keep going without him... The hardest and saddest thing of all.
The second verse fast forwards a bit, she's now confidently over the relationship but it still hangs over her like a pale ghost, a feeling that comes and goes. She wonders how much she's changed compared to her old self and what the guy would think about it if he saw her. Is that a betrayal? She's finally given up on controlling the whole thing and just lets it all happen. There's a sense of uneasy but hopeful acceptance. She doesn't need the guy anymore to keep going.
The bridge and chorus then return - at this point they don't really add much (if they had different lyrics they would!), the structure of a pop song simply demands that they come back at least once more. The sentiment of a lifelong love, however, is strengthened again.
Altogether it's a brilliant, tragic breakup song for people with a loooooot of history and baggage together. It is neurotic, romantic, bitter and hopeful at the same time. Has to be my favorite off of Melodrama and the one I can relate to the most.
To me this song is the end of a long, at times insanely unhealthy but also potentially world changing relationship. One that simply doesn't come along every day, maybe twice or thrice in a lifetime.
Anyways, one of them finally figures out the relationship has to end. Lorde is the passive one here since it's the guy that's walking out in the beginning, not her. She's left to deal with it somehow by herself. Then - after the cold facts of the first verse delivered very calmly - the wave of shattering emotions come rushing in.
After the factual, almost stoic evaluation of the relationship in the first verse the bridge goes into full cynicism mode and bitter mockery. It's a retaliation reflex that often comes with unimaginable loss. The 'she' Lorde references here might be herself (the writer) or the new, future girl as well, either version works in my opinion. The ridiculous tone change and delivery sells this perfectly. She's mocking the guy but also herself and the entire situation at the same time. "Bet you regret the whole thing now, ha? Bet you wish it never even happened!"
And then the chorus comes in, stripping away the cynicism of the bridge (an obvious coping mechanism) and exposing how she truly feels. She's gonna love this guy forever, even if they time together is now over. She only needs the secret power to keep going without him... The hardest and saddest thing of all.
The second verse fast forwards a bit, she's now confidently over the relationship but it still hangs over her like a pale ghost, a feeling that comes and goes. She wonders how much she's changed compared to her old self and what the guy would think about it if he saw her. Is that a betrayal? She's finally given up on controlling the whole thing and just lets it all happen. There's a sense of uneasy but hopeful acceptance. She doesn't need the guy anymore to keep going.
The bridge and chorus then return - at this point they don't really add much (if they had different lyrics they would!), the structure of a pop song simply demands that they come back at least once more. The sentiment of a lifelong love, however, is strengthened again.
Altogether it's a brilliant, tragic breakup song for people with a loooooot of history and baggage together. It is neurotic, romantic, bitter and hopeful at the same time. Has to be my favorite off of Melodrama and the one I can relate to the most.
Thanks for this, Lorde, you helped a lot!