"i finally understand "is the third single released from Charli XCX's fourt… Read Full Bio ↴"i finally understand "is the third single released from Charli XCX's fourth studio album ,"how I'm feeling now". It was released on May 8, 2020.

i finally understand
Charli XCX Lyrics

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Oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh
Baby, lately
Baby, yeah

The walls are all gone, did we melt them down? (Baby)
Liquid in my hands, liquid in my mouth (oh)

Footage on my phone, did it with your tongue (oh)
And now we're sticking close, and I understand

Baby, I love you bad
'Cause lately I finally understand
That maybe this feeling that I've found
Might kill me, put me in the ground

I finally understand, finally understand
My therapist said I hate myself really bad
You tell me it's fine, let me cry and hug it out

Baby, I love you bad (oh)
'Cause lately I finally understand (oh)
That maybe this feeling that I've found
Might kill me, put me in the ground

Uh, baby, yeah, ba-baby, yeah
Uh, baby, yeah, ba-baby, yeah
'Cause lately, put me in the ground
Baby, yeah, ba-baby, yeah

Liquid in my hands, liquid in my mouth
Got me drippin' out, got me drippin' out
Many nights gone, finally understand
I finally understand, I finally understand

Feel it in my core and the feeling's raw
You love me even when I hate myself, I'm sure

Baby, I love you bad
'Cause lately I finally understand
That maybe this feeling that I've found
Might kill me, put me in the ground
Baby, I love you bad
'Cause lately I finally understand
That maybe this feeling that I've found
Might kill me, put me in the ground

Baby

Overall Meaning

In this song, Charli XCX sings about a newfound appreciation and understanding of her relationship. She mentions the walls being gone and liquid in her hands and mouth, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for a physical and emotional closeness with her partner. She also references footage on her phone, possibly suggesting a desire to capture and hold onto memories with this person. As the song progresses, Charli sings about her therapist's advice and her own self-hatred, but how her partner's love and support have helped her overcome those negative feelings. The phrase "baby, I love you bad" reinforces just how much this person means to her.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and honesty in Charli's relationship. She has come to a greater understanding of herself and her emotions through this connection with another person, and she knows just how valuable that is. The song ends with Charli acknowledging the danger in being so affectionately attached to someone, but also recognizing that love is worth the risk.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh
Expressing a sudden realization or exclamation

Oh, oh, oh
Repeating the sudden realization or exclamation

Oh
Repeating the sudden realization or exclamation

Baby, lately
Addressing a loved one and mentioning a recent period of time

Baby, yeah
Repeating the address to a loved one

The walls are all gone, did we melt them down? (Baby)
Wondering if the barriers in their relationship have been removed

Liquid in my hands, liquid in my mouth (oh)
Describing a sensual experience

Footage on my phone, did it with your tongue (oh)
Imagining a romantic act recorded on a personal device

And now we're sticking close, and I understand
Feeling closer to their partner and having a newfound understanding

Baby, I love you bad
Reaffirming their love for their partner

'Cause lately I finally understand
Explaining that they now comprehend something

That maybe this feeling that I've found
Speculating on a new emotion they are experiencing

Might kill me, put me in the ground
Expressing the intensity of the new emotion

I finally understand, finally understand
Repeating the newfound comprehension

My therapist said I hate myself really bad
Mentioning a mental health professional and a negative self-perception

You tell me it's fine, let me cry and hug it out
Receiving comfort and support from their partner

Uh, baby, yeah, ba-baby, yeah
Repeating the address to their loved one

'Cause lately, put me in the ground
Reiterating the intensity of the newfound emotion

Baby, yeah, ba-baby, yeah
Repeating the address to their loved one

Liquid in my hands, liquid in my mouth
Recalling a sensual experience

Got me drippin' out, got me drippin' out
Intensifying the sensual experience

Many nights gone, finally understand
Reflecting on the past and their current comprehension

Feel it in my core and the feeling's raw
Experiencing a deep and authentic emotion

You love me even when I hate myself, I'm sure
Acknowledging their partner's unconditional love