Scared to Be Lonely
Ben Schuller Lyrics

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It was great at the very start
Hands on each other
Couldn't stand to be far apart
Closer the better
Now we're picking fights and slamming doors
Magnifying all our flaws
And I wonder why, wonder what for
Why we keep coming back for more

Is it just our bodies? Are we both losing our minds?
Is the only reason you're holding me tonight
'Cause we're scared to be lonely?
Do we need somebody just to feel like we're alright?
Is the only reason you're holding me tonight
'Cause we're scared to be lonely?
'Cause we're scared to be lonely?

Too much time, losing track of us
Where was the real?
Undefined, spiraling out of touch
Forgot how it feels

All the messed up fights and slamming doors
Magnifying all our flaws
And I wonder why, wonder what for
It's like we keep coming back for more

Is it just our bodies? Are we both losing our minds?
Is the only reason you're holding me tonight
'Cause we're scared to be lonely?
Do we need somebody just to feel like we're alright?
Is the only reason you're holding me tonight
'Cause we're scared to be lonely?
'Cause we're scared to be lonely?

Even when we know it's wrong
Been somebody better for us all along
Tell me, how can we keep holding on?
Holding on tonight 'cause we're scared to be lonely
Even when we know it's wrong
Been somebody better for us all along
Tell me, how can we keep holding on?
Holding on tonight

Is it just our bodies? Are we both losing our minds?
Is the only reason you're holding me tonight
'Cause we're scared to be lonely?
Do we need somebody just to feel like we're alright?
Is the only reason you're holding me tonight
'Cause we're scared to be lonely?

'Cause we're scared to be lonely?
'Cause we're scared to be lonely?

Overall Meaning

Ben Schuller's song "Scared to Be Lonely" is about the fear of being alone and the lengths we go to in order to avoid that feeling. The song describes a relationship that started out great, with the couple unable to keep their hands off each other, but has devolved into picking fights and slamming doors. Despite these issues, the couple stays together because they are scared to be alone. This fear is so great that they ignore the fact that there may be someone better for them out there.

The song poses a number of questions about the relationship, such as whether it is just their bodies holding them together or if they truly care for each other. The lyrics suggest that they are both losing their minds and need someone to make them feel alright. Even though they both know the relationship is wrong, they can't let go because they are scared to be lonely.

The song addresses a common fear that many people have, the fear of being alone. It highlights how we sometimes cling to unhealthy relationships because the alternative is too scary. The lyrics are deeply emotional and relatable, especially for those who have experienced similar situations. It's a reminder that it's important to prioritize our own happiness and not stay in a relationship just because we are scared to be alone.

Line by Line Meaning

It was great at the very start
Our relationship was perfect when it began.

Hands on each other
We were always physically close.

Couldn't stand to be far apart
We couldn't bear to be away from each other.

Closer the better
Being as close as possible was ideal.

Now we're picking fights and slamming doors
We argue frequently and our fights can become physical.

Magnifying all our flaws
We tend to focus and overanalyze even the smallest mistakes.

And I wonder why, wonder what for
I question why we continue to put ourselves through this.

Why we keep coming back for more
Despite the negative aspects, we keep returning to each other.

Is it just our bodies? Are we both losing our minds?
Are we only attracted to each other physically? Or are we going crazy?

Is the only reason you're holding me tonight
Are you only being affectionate because you don't want to be alone?

'Cause we're scared to be lonely?
Are we only staying together out of fear of being alone?

Do we need somebody just to feel like we're alright?
Do we require the presence of another to feel content and stable?

Too much time, losing track of us
We have lost sight of who we are as a couple with the passage of time.

Where was the real?
We have difficulty discerning what is genuine in our relationship.

Undefined, spiraling out of touch
Our bond is ambiguous and it feels like we're losing our connection.

Forgot how it feels
We have lost touch with the emotions and sensations we once had.

Even when we know it's wrong
Despite being aware that our relationship is harmful, we still pursue it.

Been somebody better for us all along
We acknowledge that there are likely better matches for us elsewhere.

Tell me, how can we keep holding on?
We struggle to understand why we continue to stay together.

Holding on tonight 'cause we're scared to be lonely
We are afraid of being alone, so we continue to hold on to each other, even if it's detrimental to our well-being.

Writer(s): Martijn Garritsen, Nathaniel Campany, Giorgio Tuinfort, Kyle Michael Shearer, Georgia Overton

Contributed by Vivian D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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