21 (Acoustic)

Gracie Abrams' '21 (Acoustic)' is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, regret, and the lingering emotions tied to a past relationship. The song opens with the singer lamenting missing a significant milestone in her ex-partner's life—their twenty-first birthday. This sets the tone for the entire song, as she reflects on the emotional distance and the missed opportunities to reconnect. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and sadness, as she imagines her ex-partner celebrating without her, which intensifies her feelings of isolation and regret.

The song delves deeper into the complexities of their past relationship, highlighting the emotional turmoil that comes with unresolved feelings. Abrams sings about the difficulty of moving on, even as she acknowledges that her ex-partner might be doing the same. The line, 'You'd be the love of my life when I was young,' suggests a deep, youthful love that has since faded but still holds a significant place in her heart. The recurring theme of 'blurry-eyed' moments and 'small talk' indicates the struggle to maintain a facade of normalcy while grappling with intense emotions beneath the surface.

Abrams' use of vivid imagery and metaphors, such as 'lights on and it's black and white,' paints a picture of a relationship that once had vibrant moments but now feels stark and colorless. The repeated refrain, 'Don't call me up I'm already under,' signifies her attempt to protect herself from further emotional pain, even as she admits to missing her ex-partner. The song captures the universal experience of holding onto memories of a past love while trying to navigate the present, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced the bittersweet nature of lost love.