Through the use of a synthetizer, a bass and drums, Gracie sets an anticipating tone about her relationship’s end. The intensity of the music grows greatly as she’s declaring her decision in the chorus, while maintaining the same tempo throughout the song. It’s important to note that the song sounds distinctly different from other songs on the project, with Gracie staying true to her words about experimenting with her tonality.
Gracie teased the song again through a reel on her Instagram a week before the song and the album’s release. On October 8th 2021, she announced that this song would be the third track of her debut album, "This Is What It Feels Like".
Gracie shared a video with this part of the lyrics on her TikTok. In the video, she wrote:
"this song is about knowing that it’s time. this is just the demo but ever since writing it i’ve wanted it to come out, so sharing this part now :)"
She captioned the video with:
"this one is like knives lol"
For Real This Time
Gracie Abrams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back when I knew to draw the line
Already gave what I could offer
Maybe we′ll work another time
I guess the thought of it's enough
No going back or switching up
I really wish that I could do that
I know we′ve run it dry
I've heard that happens sometimes
I shouldn't be surprised, should I?
I′ve packed my bags in the middle of the night
A thousand times, I got up to say goodbye
I could be wrong, but I think that I′m for real this time
I've taken down all the pictures in my room
I′ve hidden things that reminded me of you
I know I've lied, but I think that I′m for real this time
Couldn't you tell when I was off?
You never asked me what it was
I kinda hoped you feel the same way
So that I′m not the only one
Who thinks we've run it dry
But still we stayed a long time
I'm sorry if I make you cry tonight
′Cause I′ve packed my bags in the middle of the night
A thousand times, I got up to say goodbye
I could be wrong, but I think that I'm for real this time
I′ve taken down all the pictures in my room
I've hidden things that reminded me of you
I know I′ve lied, but I think that I'm for real this time
I know that I′ve lied
But we're running dry
No, I won't come back this time
I know that I′ve lied
But we′re running dry
Think that I'm for real this time
I′ve packed my bags in the middle of the night
A thousand times, I got up to say goodbye
I could be wrong, but I think that I'm for real this time
Gracie Abrams's song "For Real This Time" speaks about a relationship that has run its due course. The singer reflects on their desire to leave the relationship behind, but they repeatedly struggled to draw the final line due to their deep-seated hope that things might still work out. The singer emphasizes that they have already given as much as they could offer, and leaving is tough for them. This song highlights the complexity of emotions that arise in relationships and the struggle of letting go.
In her lyrics, Abrams employs potent imagery. The repetition of the phrase "I′ve packed my bags in the middle of the night / A thousand times" shows how much the singer has thought about leaving. At the same time, the action of packing in the middle of the night implies a sense of urgency and secrecy. The singer has also taken down all the pictures in their room and hidden away everything that reminds them of their partner, showing their desperation to move on. The chorus of the song, "I know I′ve lied, but I think that I'm for real this time," accentuates the deceptive nature of relationships that have run their course, and the confusion that arises for both parties.
Overall, "For Real This Time" is a heartfelt song that encapsulates the complexity of relationships and the bittersweet process of saying goodbye to someone you once loved.
Line by Line Meaning
I think that maybe I was right
I am starting to realize that I made the right decision before
Back when I knew to draw the line
I had my boundaries figured out then, but not anymore
Already gave what I could offer
I don't have anything else to give at this point
Maybe we'll work another time
Perhaps we can make things work in the future, but not now
I guess the thought of it's enough
Just thinking about it is good enough for me
No going back or switching up
I can't change my mind or switch things around
I really wish that I could do that
I wish I could walk away from you more easily
Walking away from you is tough
It's difficult for me to leave you behind
I know we've run it dry
Our relationship is out of steam
I've heard that happens sometimes
This situation is not uncommon
I shouldn't be surprised, should I?
I knew this was coming and shouldn't be shocked
I've packed my bags in the middle of the night
I've prepared to leave more than once before
A thousand times, I got up to say goodbye
I've mentally prepared to walk away from you many times
I could be wrong, but I think that I'm for real this time
This time, I believe I'm actually going to move on
I've taken down all the pictures in my room
I'm trying to erase reminders of you
I've hidden things that reminded me of you
I don't want to be reminded of our time together
Couldn't you tell when I was off?
Did you not sense that something was wrong?
You never asked me what it was
You didn't try to understand why I was acting differently
I kinda hoped you feel the same way
Perhaps you also realized our relationship was draining
So that I'm not the only one
I don't want to be alone in my feelings
But still we stayed a long time
We held on much longer than we should have
I'm sorry if I make you cry tonight
I regret causing any pain to you
No, I won't come back this time
I won't give our relationship another chance
I know that I've lied
I haven't been honest with myself or you
Think that I'm for real this time
I believe I'm actually going to move on now
Writer(s): Joel Little, Sarah Aarons, Gracie Abrams
Contributed by Lauren S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@arsh6027
[Verse 1]
I think that maybe I was right
Back when I knew to draw the line
Already gave what I could offer
Maybe we'll work another time
I guess the thought of it's enough
No goin' back or switchin' up
I really wish that I could do that
Walkin' away from you is tough
[Pre-Chorus]
I know we've run it dry
I've heard that happens sometimes
I shouldn't be surprised, should I?
[Chorus]
I've packed my bags in the middle of the night
A thousand times, I got up to say goodbye
I could be wrong but I think that I'm for real this time
I've taken down all the pictures in my room
I've hidden things that reminded me of you
I know I've lied but I think that I'm for real this time
[Verse 2]
Couldn't you told when I was off?
You never asked me what it was
I kinda hoped you feel the same way
So that I'm not the only
[Pre-Chorus]
Who thinks we've run it dry
But still we stayed a long time
I'm sorry if I make you cry tonight
[Chorus]
'Cause I've packed my bags in the middle of the night
A thousand times, I got up to say goodbye
I could be wrong but I think that I'm for real this time
I've taken down all the pictures in my room
I've hidden things that reminded me of you
I know I've lied but I think that I'm for real this time
[Bridge]
I know that I've lied
But we're runnin' dry
No, I won't come back this time
I know that I've lied
But we're runnin' dry
Think that I'm for real this time
[Outro]
I've packed my bags in the middle of the night
A thousand times, I got up to say goodbye
I could be wrong but I think that I'm for real this time
@heli_3105
Taylor and Gracie releasing music at the same time is truly a bliss
@leodah.5726
Seriously
@arsh6027
IT’S SO MUCH I’M SO OVERWHELMED
@yamilethm.7515
Fr
@laurenbedumb
@@arsh6027 FR
@user-bm3ex2sm3s
ㅇㅈ
@disaintp1napple965
she’s so pretty and talented she’s like literally a masterpiece made by god
@Lonelylover234
This song!😩💗
Made a Slowed & Reverb version of this song!!😗💗
https://youtu.be/UuHFQzBk5u4
@jeonyoonaxx1005
yes i agree with you!
@jeonyoonaxx1005
we are love Gracie ❤️