Diving into the lyrics, the lines "You're not the only one / Out there for me" and "There's other fish in the sea / Who would love to swim with me" clearly portray a message of abundance in choices and possibilities. The protagonist of the song doesn't put up with being overlooked or undervalued in a romantic relationship. The recurring aquatic metaphor, emphasizing that there are "other fishes in the sea," signifies the understanding that one does not need to settle for less than what they deserve or desire.
A look at the broader lyrics shows a narrative of waiting for a call that comes too late. Instead of lamenting, Lavigne asserts her worth, emphasizing that she won't be kept waiting and that there are plenty of others who would value her time and company. In essence, "Not the Only One" encapsulates a message of self-respect and the idea that one should never settle, underpinned by Lavigne's signature catchy pop-rock flair.
Not the Only One
Avril Lavigne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When will he call?, I wonder
I'd give it away on a Friday
I haven't heard a friggin' now it's Wednesday
I don't know what he's thinking,
He can leave me alone and I'll be waiting
I don't think so
There's other fish in the sea
You're not the only one
Out there for me,
And I know (and I know),
You're not the only one
Who's gonna be
For me (for me)
There's other fishes in the sea
There's other fishes in the sea
You finally called and I'm not home
Don't even bother at all
Can't remember what he looks like
It's been 14 days, that's not my type
I know they're not all like that
There's gotta be some that don't think they're all that
Yes I know so,
There's other fish in the sea
Who would love to swim with me
You're not the only one
Out there for me,
And I know (and I know),
You're not the only one
Who's gonna be
For me (for me)
There's other fishes in the sea
There's other fishes in the sea (in the sea)
There's other fishes in the sea
There's other fishes in the sea (fishes in the sea)
You're not the only one
Out there for me,
And I know (and I know),
You're not the only one
Who's gonna be (be)
For me (for me)
You're not the only one
(There's other fishes in the sea)
You're not the only one
(There's other fishes in the sea)
You're not the only one
(There's other fishes in the sea)
You're not the only one
(There's other fishes in the sea)
The lyrics of Avril Lavigne's "Not the Only One" deal with a relationship that has gone cold or possibly never even started. The singer, who has somewhat of an independent and self-assured attitude, had given her phone number away several days before to a man who had asked for it. However, she hasn't heard from him yet, and she's questioning whether he will call or not. She doesn't understand what's going through his mind and contemplates whether he's even worth it, as there are many other potential suitors out there. She emphasizes that if he decides to leave her alone, she will be waiting, but she is convinced that there are many other fish in the sea who would love to be with her.
Throughout the song, she's reminding her potential paramour and herself that he's not the only one out there for her, and there are many options for her. The chorus echoes this sentiment, stating that there are other fishes in the sea, and she knows that he is not the only one who will be there for her. Instead of sitting around waiting for him to call or trying to remember what he looks like, she chooses to focus on the many other options that she has.
The song is empowering and reminds listeners that they should never settle for one specific person in a relationship. There are always other choices, and self-worth should never be tied to the attention of one person.
Line by Line Meaning
He'd already asked for my number
A guy had already gotten Avril's phone number
When will he call?, I wonder
Avril is wondering when the guy who got her number will call her
I'd give it away on a Friday
Avril prefers to give her phone number on Fridays
I haven't heard a friggin' now it's Wednesday
Avril hasn't received a call from the guy yet, and it's already Wednesday
I don't know what he's thinking,
Avril has no idea what the guy is thinking about her
He can leave me alone and I'll be waiting
Avril is willing to wait for the guy, but she doesn't expect him to come
I don't think so
Avril doesn't believe the guy will call her
There's other fish in the sea
Avril believes that there are other guys out there for her
Who would love to swim with me
Avril believes that she can find someone better than the guy who got her number
You're not the only one
Avril is telling the guy that he is not the only one for her
Out there for me,
There are other guys out there who are interested in Avril
And I know (and I know),
Avril is sure that there are other guys for her, not just him
Who's gonna be
There are other guys who will be interested in dating Avril
For me (for me)
Avril will find someone better for her, not just him
You finally called and I'm not home
The guy finally called, but Avril is not at home
Don't even bother at all
Avril doesn't want the guy to bother calling again
Can't remember what he looks like
Avril has forgotten what the guy looks like
It's been 14 days, that's not my type
The guy hasn't called in 14 days, and that's not the kind of guy Avril is interested in
I know they're not all like that
Avril knows that not all guys are like the one who got her number
There's gotta be some that don't think they're all that
Avril believes that there are guys out there who are not arrogant and overconfident
Yes I know so,
Avril is sure that there are guys out there who are better than the one who got her number
There's other fish in the sea
Avril believes that there are other guys out there for her
Who would love to swim with me
Avril believes that she can find someone better than the guy who got her number
There's other fishes in the sea (in the sea)
There are plenty of other guys out there who would be interested in Avril
You're not the only one
Avril is telling the guy that he is not the only one for her
Who's gonna be (be)
There are other guys who will be interested in dating Avril
There's other fishes in the sea
Avril believes that there are other guys out there for her
You're not the only one
Avril is telling the guy that he is not the only one for her
(There's other fishes in the sea)
Avril wants the guy to understand that there are many other guys out there for her
(There's other fishes in the sea)
Avril repeats that there are many other guys out there for her
(There's other fishes in the sea)
Avril repeats once more that there are many other guys out there for her
(There's other fishes in the sea)
Avril repeats one last time that there are many other guys out there for her
Contributed by Ellie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shadow7Dreamer
Love this song to pieces.
Krysen Stott
One of the best b side songs 💯🎸🤟 Go Avril LBS 4 ever ⭐
Mich
I love this song so much - March 10th 2019
Fresh Toast
How has the last 3 years been?
Vince Rodrigues
LOVE this song <3 :D
Lay Lay Min
Sweet voice great Temple of life
Anghell Rabanal
awesome!
Orangely ASMR
Fireeee! 🔥🔥
grace grace
move on song.... I like it
World's Netizen
I'm not a fan-type person, which means nobody can tame me.