Last summer, after two months of what I thought was mutually enjoyable dating, I invited a boo to a cookout and got hit with a text that literally read, "I don't even know how I feel about you yet." As I tried to make sense of what the heck went wrong, I compiled an emotional playlist to ease the pieces of my broken and confused heart. So, if you're looking for some serious songs about almost-relationships, you, my friend, have come to the right place.
Like actual relationships, almost-relationships come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, external factors in the universe keep people apart. Even if you both know that you're never going to commit to each other seriously, you may not be ready to stop doing whatever it is you are doing. You may think you've been dating for months, but then you're suddenly hit with a, "we're not dating" text. Although open communication is key to all kinds of relationships, life can be messy. Sometimes, you have no idea what is going on until you're sitting in the bathtub crying to a playlist titled, "What was that?"
From my bathtub to yours, here are 31 of my favorite lyrics about almost-love.
Painted a picture, I thought I knew you well. I got a habit of seeing what isn't there.
— Ariana Grande
I'm feeling inspired because the tables have turned. Yeah, I'm on fire, and I know that it burns.
— Demi Lovato
All I wanted was to break your walls; all you ever did was break me.
— Miley Cyrus
You had your chance; you blew it. Out of sight, out of mind.
— Kelly Clarkson
I'm better off without you anyway. I thought it would be hard, but I'm OK. I don't need you if you're going to be that way. Because with me, it's all or nothing.
— Avril Lavigne
I wanted you bad. I'm so through with that. Because honestly, you turned out to be the best thing I never had.
— Beyoncé
We can't get what we want without knowing.
— Khalid
In another life, I would be your girl. We'd keep all our promises, be us against the world.
— Katy Perry
In the cold light of day, we're a flame in the wind, not the fire that we've begun.
— Marshmello ft. Bastille
People like you always want back the love they pushed aside, but people like me are gone forever when you say goodbye.
— Taylor Swift
You even got me trippin,' you got me lookin' in the mirror different. Thinkin' I'm flawed because you're inconsistent.
— Cardi B
You made my mind up for me when you started to ignore me.
— Hilary Duff
You tried to break my heart? Oh, that breaks my heart, that you thought you ever had it, no, you ain't from the start.
— Lizzo
You not making up your mind, it's killin' me and wasting time. I need so much more than that.
— The Wreckers
It's unclear now what we intend; we're alone in our own world. You don't want to be my boyfriend, and I don't want to be your girl.
— Waxahatchee
We both tried; it’s never the right time. We could be happy or who we used to be. I guess I’ll take you either way.
— Addie Pray
I wasted my tears when I cried over you. I should've known you would never be true.
— Dolly Parton
You add insult to injury, you say you believe in me, but you haven't decided about taking or leaving me.
— boygenius
We both come around, but it’s always too late. These empty promises will fade, we’re both so sorry every day.
— Remember Sports
Girlfriend or girl that's a friend? It's easy just to pretend that we don't have something real; it's just how we feel.
— Clairo
I hope you find a stable girl who treats you like you deserve it.
— Katie Ellen
Sorry for asking you to love me more. Guess I've become the burden I was so fearful of before. Never asking you to make me frozen mac 'n' cheese. Never asking to sleep in your bed unless you begged me, 'Please.'
— Adult Mom
Guess you don't know what you want, 'til you see I'm moving on.
— Walker Hayes
You won't try at anything, so why'd I hope you'd try with me?
— Lisa Prank
And I don’t want to feel nostalgic for something that never happened.
—Diet Cig
Now you're not even my type, funny what happens with time.
— Cyberbully Mom Club
Secrets and sharing soda, that's how our time began. Love is a story told to a friend; it's second hand.
— Joni Mitchell
And whatever happened to a boyfriend, the kind of guy who tries to win you over? And whatever happened to a boyfriend, the kind of guy who makes love because he's in it?
— Liz Phair
I used to think that love was crying on my kitchen floor, but now I know, and I don't think you're an angel anymore.
— Kate Rhudy
Do you think I'm losing it, do you think about me at all? If you wanted to and I wanted to we could talk.
— thanks for coming
How are you going to say you love me? You don't do nothing for me.
—Junglep*ssy
From angry to sad to full-on over it, listening to songs about almost-relationships can help you at every stage of your process. Of course, if you're ever unsure or uncomfortable in a given relationship, its always OK to ask for clarity. When it comes to finding love, you deserve someone who is all in.
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