How Could You

Jessie Murph's song "How Could You" is a poignant exploration of betrayal, emotional manipulation, and the struggle to reclaim personal space and identity after a toxic relationship. The lyrics convey a narrative of someone who has been deeply hurt by a partner's actions, particularly by their dishonesty and emotional abuse. The opening lines set the stage for a relationship that began with trust, as the protagonist allowed their partner to come over, believing they were sober. However, this trust is quickly shattered as the partner's words, initially drawing them closer, ultimately lead to betrayal.

The chorus expresses a powerful desire to escape the emotional weight of the situation, with the protagonist wanting to 'rip all the doors off this place' and 'set it on fire' as a metaphor for a dramatic break from the past and the pain it represents. The act of setting something on fire symbolizes a cleansing, a way to feel something other than the burden of the relationship. The song also touches on the theme of boundaries, as the protagonist regrets letting the partner in when they needed space and feels violated when their boundaries are crossed.

The bridge of the song introduces another layer of the partner's manipulation, where they threaten self-harm to control the protagonist's actions. This toxic dynamic is further highlighted by the protagonist's realization that the 'better version' of themselves never knew this person, suggesting a loss of self that they are now trying to recover. The repeated question 'How could you?' serves as a haunting refrain, emphasizing the disbelief and pain caused by the partner's actions and the difficulty in understanding how someone could cause such harm to a person they claimed to love.