How Gracie Abrams's New Songs Led Me to Deeper Self-Refection
I’ve been a Gracie Abrams fan for a while now. Her music always resonates with different parts of my life, whether it’s unrequited love or troubled friendships filled with drama. Listening to her newest album felt like looking in a mirror, especially as it was released during my biggest era of self-reflection yet. This past weekend, the deluxe version of her album came out, and once again, I found myself deeply connected to every lyric she sings. Abrams has taught me a lot about what it means to be a woman in a relationship that doesn’t meet her standards while still holding on. Most importantly, she’s shown me to be a woman who no longer settles for less just for the sake of holding someone’s hand.
The best part of Gracie’s music is the same as what I love most about listening to her “mother,” Taylor Swift: the bridges. They don’t just tug at your heartstrings; they grab them roughly and throw them into the next room! Each time I hear them, I feel a rush of emotions, as if someone has flipped a switch and unleashed everything I've been holding back. It’s like they speak directly to the core of my being, awakening feelings I buried beneath because I did not know the right way to allow them to touch the surface. I want to use the bridges of the four new songs off the deluxe album to dissect and incorporate them into my self-reflection.
Packing It Up: “I swear I wasn’t looking for much, but that’s just when you happened.”
This song represents the waiting game for love and connection. After so many “Mr. Wrong” experiences, it’s hard to believe that “Mr. Right” is just around the corner, let alone that he even exists. It’s all too easy to give up on the idea altogether. Recently, I’ve felt this way—I have always been a hopeless romantic, believing in love for everyone around me. However, I can’t help but think maybe it’s written in the stars that there’s a person for everyone, and I may just be the odd one out. I feel this way because I have always been a hard person to understand, even though I tend to make it my mission to grasp the tiniest details of everyone around me.
In this context, I think the song captures this exact feeling: the idea that stopping to look for love might be the moment when someone perfect comes along. Still, there’s an underlying fear because the compatibility is unique to past experiences. Throughout her bridge, she sings:
“I hope that you get my dark sense of humor
Sunsets in the summer with my family
Don't stop talking to me, and maybe stay here forever,
We could die here together; I’d do it happily
I’ll hold you; I'll know you
I’ll never leave out the back door
And I’d love to complete you
Hope you get all you could ask for.”
These lyrics beautifully express her fears about the past, even in the best situation. She hopes that who she is naturally can be the perfect match for her new lover, and the way she articulates this vulnerability resonates deeply with me.
That's So True: “I could go and read your mind. Think about your dumb face all the time.”
I often feel a sense of déjà vu when it comes to the idea of seeing my ex-situationship with someone new. Knowing that I’ve been in the same situation with this man as the new girl makes me aware that he’s “an idiot, and I should warn her.” I really resonate with the thought that the new girl has to be the coolest person alive, the “it girl,” but most importantly, that the new girl is enough. I hate being in the position of feeling like I’m not enough, especially when the man turns around and easily finds a replacement for me.
What is it about her that is so different from me? Why do I care so much about seeing my ex-situationship with someone new? These questions swirl in my mind, often spiraling into insecurity and self-doubt. It feels like I’m being erased from a story I thought would last, and the thought that someone else is experiencing what I once had leaves me with a heavy heart.
This bridge is electrifying:
“Made it out alive, but I think I lost it
Said that I was fine, said it from the coffin
Remember how I died when you started walking?
That's my life, that's my life
I'll put up a fight, taking out my earrings
Don't you know the vibe? Don't you know the feeling?
You should spend the night, catch me on your ceiling
That's your prize, that's your prize.”
In these lines, she captures the raw, haunting aftermath of heartbreak—the moments when you put on a brave face but feel utterly defeated inside. The depths of her lines resonate with me; she says she’s fine, yet it’s clear that those words mask a profound sense of loss. I can relate to the feeling of watching someone move on from you so easily, as if it never meant anything, and putting up a fight, only to be punching the air. It’s a reminder that even in the best situations, past relationships cast long shadows, making it hard to see the light ahead.
I Told You Things: “I told you things that I never said; you’re the golden boy and my worst regret.”
“Hey, wait, guess what?
Yesterday I stopped and played it safe instead of walking straight to you to say,
“Stay, never mind, okay?
Don’t mean it, plus you’ve changed.
Not much, but just enough to throw away
Fake fantasies and games.
I’ve lost a year; it’s strange.
Composed a hundred ways to tell you,
Hey, what if I took your call as more than just a call?
As writing on the walls, you built this cage.
Lost color in my face;
You’re fearing I’m insane—
Hallucination, shame, guilt, pain, more pain.”
This song and bridge actually hurt to listen to. I think this is definitely one of Gracie Abrams's strongest and rawest songs to date. It explores the feelings of finding out that the person you were with was not who you thought they were at all. The person's emotions are so strong at the beginning until they suddenly take everything away. It captures the idea of trusting someone more than you have ever trusted before, only to find out they were worse than you could have imagined. This song tells a story of betrayal and the struggle of never knowing what to do with that feeling.
I feel the weight of every unsaid word and the tension of every moment unspent. The imagery of lost color in my face and the metaphor of a cage built by someone I once trusted paint a vivid picture of the emotional aftermath. I realize that while I may have lost a year, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of myself, my boundaries, and what it means to truly heal.
Cool: “I’ll be cool for the hell of it.”
“No, I’ll be fine
I’ll just look for the silver lining
Stay out of sight
Half my mind, you’re still occupying
Kill for a while, stole my time
Thanks a lot for nothing
Stop, I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine.”
In these lines, Gracie captures the duality of trying to move on while still feeling tethered to the past. The assertion “No, I’ll be fine” serves as both a mantra and a mask; it's reassurance she offers herself even as she grapples with the truth of her emotions. The mention of looking for the “silver lining” suggests an optimistic outlook, a common coping mechanism when facing heartache. Still, there’s a sense of forced positivity here, hinting that she may not genuinely believe it yet.
“Stay out of sight” conveys a desire to retreat, to distance herself from the person still occupying her thoughts. This line speaks to the struggle of wanting to move on while grappling with memories that linger—how can you forget someone who still occupies half your mind? The subsequent lines, “Kill for a while, stole my time,” reveal frustration over lost moments and the emotional toll the relationship has taken. This raw acknowledgment of time stolen from her is a powerful reminder of the cost of attachment.
Finally, the repetition of “I’ll be fine” at the end creates a haunting echo of denial. It emphasizes that, despite her insistence, she may not be fine at all. This bridge captures the emotional conflict we often experience when trying to put on a brave face while navigating the messy aftermath of a relationship.
In conclusion, Gracie Abrams' music feels like a lifeline, pulling me through the highs and lows of love and heartbreak. Each song serves as a mirror, reflecting my experiences and emotions, reminding me that I’m not alone in this messy journey of self-discovery. Just as her lyrics resonate with my heart, they encourage me to embrace vulnerability, acknowledge my feelings, and honor my journey toward healing. Gracie’s ability to articulate the complexities of relationships inspires me to hold out for love that meets my standards and to be true to myself along the way. With every listen, I’m reminded that while the road may be filled with uncertainty, there’s immense power in sharing these feelings and knowing that healing is a journey worth taking.
