u love u (feat. Tate McRae)

In 'u love u (feat. Tate McRae),' blackbear delves into the emotional turmoil of being in a relationship with a self-centered partner. The song captures the essence of feeling neglected and unappreciated, even when physically present with the person you love. The lyrics reveal a sense of loneliness and desperation, as the protagonist grapples with the realization that their partner is more in love with themselves than with anyone else. This emotional void leads to a cycle of self-destructive behaviors, such as drinking and drug use, in an attempt to feel something, anything, to fill the emptiness.

The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, highlighting the partner's selfishness and deceit. The repeated lines, 'You're selfish, selfish, how do you love? Too much, too much, never enough,' emphasize the paradox of giving too much love and yet never feeling satisfied or reciprocated. The protagonist's trust is shattered, as they struggle to understand how someone can be so self-absorbed. The line 'I love you, you love you more' succinctly captures the crux of the issue, where the partner's self-love overshadows any affection they might have for the protagonist.

The song also touches on the difficulty of moving on from such a toxic relationship. Despite the pain and the clear signs that the relationship is unhealthy, the protagonist finds it hard to let go. The lyrics 'Sometimes I wanna call, but I got shit to do, I'm tryin' to forget, but then I'm missin' you' reflect the internal conflict between wanting to move on and being drawn back by lingering feelings. This struggle is compounded by the partner's lack of awareness or concern for anyone but themselves, making it even harder for the protagonist to find closure and heal.