Over and over and over again
I say that were just friends

Forget the implications
Infatuations end
If loves so easy, why is it hard
I can't imagine ever being apart
I'll come back to you
It'd be brand new
But I promise
We're just friends

Over and over and over again
I try to make amends
For everything I've done wrong
My whole world just spins
Make some coffee, hold me up
Try to talk me out of giving up
I'll come back to you
It'll be brand new
But I promise
We're just friends

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Wilco's "We're Just Friends" suggests a complicated relationship between two individuals. The repetitiveness of the chorus, "Over and over and over again, I say that we're just friends," implies that one person has feelings for the other beyond what they have verbally established. The singer is trying to convince themselves and the other person that their romantic feelings are nothing more than a mere infatuation. They are willing to come back to the other person as "it'll be brand new," but still insists that they are just friends.

The second verse seems to depict a situation where the singer has hurt the other person in the past, and now their relationship is spinning out of control. They want to make amends, but the process is revolving in their heads, making their world feel choppy. They ask the other person to hold them up and try to talk them out of giving up. In the end, they reassure the other person that it is just a friendship, despite everything that has happened.

Overall, the song suggests a complex relationship that the singer is trying to navigate through. The feelings they cannot deny are at odds with what they are trying to convince themselves and the other person. The song is an honest portrayal of the challenges and complexities of human relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Over and over and over again
I keep repeating myself

I say that we're just friends
I'm trying to deny my feelings for you

Forget the implications
Ignore the possible consequences

Infatuations end
Temporary attractions come to an end

If love's so easy, why is it hard
Love is not as simple as it seems

I can't imagine ever being apart
I cannot picture my life without you

I'll come back to you
I will return to your side

It'd be brand new
Our relationship would be different

But I promise
I solemnly swear

Over and over and over again
Once more, I'm repeating myself

I try to make amends
I seek to rectify my mistakes