We Get On

Kate Nash's song 'We Get On' delves into the raw and often awkward emotions of unrequited love and the struggles of expressing one's feelings. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a young woman who is infatuated with someone but finds herself paralyzed by shyness and self-doubt. The opening lines reveal her internal conflict; simply knowing the person exists isn't enough, yet asking for their number feels inappropriate. This sets the stage for a series of clumsy and endearing attempts to get closer to the object of her affection.

The narrative takes us through various scenarios where the protagonist tries to engineer 'accidental' encounters, only to end up feeling embarrassed and self-conscious. Her plan to bump into him goes awry, leading to a moment of acute social awkwardness. Despite these setbacks, she holds onto the hope that they might 'get on' if only she could muster the courage to express her feelings directly. This hope is poignantly juxtaposed with her reality, where she ends up seeing him with another girl, leading to heartbreak and a night of drunken tears.

Nash's lyrics also explore the protagonist's coping mechanisms and the advice she receives from friends. They try to console her by disparaging the guy and his new girlfriend, but their words do little to ease her pain. The song concludes with a mix of denial and lingering hope. She claims not to obsess over him, yet admits there's still a part of her that believes they could 'get on.' This duality captures the essence of unrequited love—where rationality and emotion are often at odds, leaving one in a state of perpetual longing and what-ifs.