Interested in music from a young age, the San Francisco-born Leff took piano and viola lessons as a child before picking up the guitar around age 11. During high school, he played in several bands and studied jazz before discovering electronic music production. However, it was while attending N.Y.U. as a music tech major in 2014 that a bad breakup found Leff on his own and digging deep into his writing and recording process. Out of this period came the song "The Other," co-written with songwriter/instrumentalist Michael Matosic. Released under Leff's stage name Lauv (inspired by the Latvian "lauva" or lion), the song went viral after gaining blog attention and peaked at number three on blog aggregator Hype Machine. In 2015 he returned with his debut EP, Lost in the Light, which featured "The Other."
More tracks followed, including 2015's "Reforget" and 2016's "Question," featuring Travis Mills. In 2017 Lauv headed his own Late Nights, Deep Talks tour and premiered the official video for "The Other," along with a series of remixes. Released in May of that year, Lauv's single "I Like Me Better" became a breakout international hit and was later featured on his self-titled second EP that October. The single was also included on his full-length debut, 2018's I Met You When I Was 18, which also featured the singles "Paranoid" and "Bracelet." Hit collaborations with Julia Michaels ("There's No Way") and Troye Sivan ("I'm So Tired...") carried him into 2019. Lauv's debut album "~how i'm feeling~" is set to be released in March 2020.
MEAN IT
Lauv Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That look makes me impatient
I can't tell what you're thinkin'
Please tell me what you're thinkin'
Last night we were more than fine
Just tell me if you changed your mind
If you changed your mind
I'm callin', no answer
But you text me when you feel like
When it feels right to you
But I'm all, I'm all in
I'm fallin' faster
But if you're looking at me
With a heart of doubt
Don't kiss me right now
Don't tell me that you need me
Don't show up at my house
All caught up in your feelings
Don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't build me up just to let me down
Just to let me down, down, down (ayy)
Don't mess with my head
Don't tell me you're falling
With your feet still on the ledge
I'm all out of breath
Baby, don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't kiss me, no, don't kiss me right now
On your lips, just leave it
If you don't mean it
Oh, yeah
You know you got me in the palm of your hand
But I love those hands
Oh, yeah
But you only let me hold you when he can't
Yeah, I don't understand
'Cause I'm all, I'm all in
I'm callin', no answer
But you text me when you feel like
When it feels right to you
But I'm all, I'm all in
I'm fallin' faster
But if you're looking at me
With a heart of doubt
Don't kiss me right now
Don't tell me that you need me
Don't show up at my house
All caught up in your feelings
Don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't build me up just to let me down
Just to let me down, down, down (ayy)
Don't mess with my head
Don't tell me you're falling
With your feet still on the ledge
I'm all out of breath
Baby, don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't kiss me, no, don't kiss me right now
On your lips, just leave it
If you don't mean it
Hurry home, let's never leave the house
(But you don't mean it)
Let's stay in bed while all our friends go out
(But you don't mean it)
Why you let those words come out of your mouth?
(If you don't mean it)
You've been staring at me with a heart of doubt (ah)
Don't kiss me right now
Don't tell me that you need me
Don't show up at my house
All caught up in your feelings
Don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't build me up just to let me down
Just to let me down, down, down (ah)
Don't mess with my head
Don't tell me you're falling
With your feet still on the ledge
I'm all out of breath
Baby, don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't kiss me, no, don't kiss me right now
On your lips, just leave it
If you don't mean it
The song Mean It by Lauv and LANY is about a couple who have been together for a while but as time has progressed, one of them has become detached and distant. The singer of the song is struggling to understand the situation, feeling impatient and unsure about what the other person is thinking. They want to know if there has been a change of heart, as they are all in and falling fast, while the person they are with is holding back with a heart of doubt. The song advises the other person not to mess with their emotions or give them false hope if they don't truly mean it.
The lyrics and melody of the song convey the complexity of romantic relationships and the vulnerability that comes with putting oneself out there. The mixture of upbeat and melancholic tunes throughout the song reflects the singer's hopeful yet hesitant outlook on the relationship. The chorus, with its insistent "Don't kiss me right now, if you don't mean it," is a plea for honesty and authenticity, as the singer fears being misled and hurt.
Overall, the song Mean It is an emotional and heartfelt plea for clarity and honesty in relationships, emphasizing the pain of being misled and betrayed by someone they love. It teaches that it's important to be transparent, direct and honest about one's feelings and intentions, even if it means risking rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
Small talk, no conversation
We are not engaging in meaningful conversation.
That look makes me impatient
Your non-verbal cues make me frustrated and anxious.
I can't tell what you're thinkin'
I am unable to read your mind and understand what you are thinking and feeling.
Please tell me what you're thinkin'
I am requesting that you communicate your thoughts and emotions to me clearly.
Last night we were more than fine
Our previous interaction was positive and fulfilling.
Just tell me if you changed your mind
I am asking if there has been a change in your feelings or thoughts.
If you changed your mind
I am seeking clarity on whether your thoughts or feelings have changed.
'Cause I'm all, I'm all in
I am committed and invested in this relationship.
I'm callin', no answer
I am attempting to communicate with you but am not receiving a response.
But you text me when you feel like
You only reach out to me when it is convenient for you.
When it feels right to you
Your communication with me is based on your personal feelings and desires.
But I'm all, I'm all in
My commitment and investment in this relationship remains unchanged.
I'm fallin' faster
My feelings for you are becoming more intense.
But if you're looking at me
If you are hesitant or uncertain about our relationship,
With a heart of doubt
Your doubt or uncertainty is causing me emotional distress.
Don't kiss me right now
I do not want physical or emotional intimacy at this moment.
Don't tell me that you need me
I do not want to hear that you have emotional dependence on me that you may not mean.
Don't show up at my house
I do not want any surprise visits from you.
All caught up in your feelings
I do not want you to act impulsively based on your emotions.
Don't run me 'round and 'round
I do not want to be uncertain or confused about the state of our relationship.
Don't build me up just to let me down
I do not want you to make me feel optimistic about our relationship only to disappoint me.
Just to let me down, down, down (ayy)
I do not want my expectations to be unfulfilled.
Don't mess with my head
I do not want you to confuse or deceive me emotionally or mentally.
Don't tell me you're falling
I do not want you to express romantic feelings if you do not truly mean them.
With your feet still on the ledge
You are not fully committed to our relationship and this makes me feel uneasy.
I'm all out of breath
Your behavior towards me is causing me emotional distress and making it difficult for me to function normally.
Baby, don't run me 'round and 'round
I do not want a rollercoaster of emotions or uncertainty in our relationship.
On your lips, just leave it
If you do not truly mean what you say, please do not say it.
If you don't mean it
It is important that your words and actions reflect your true feelings and intentions.
You know you got me in the palm of your hand
You have control over the state of our relationship and my emotions towards you.
But I love those hands
I am still attracted to you despite the uncertainty in our relationship.
But you only let me hold you when he can't
You only seek my companionship when someone else is not available.
Yeah, I don't understand
I am confused and unclear about our relationship and your feelings towards me.
Hurry home, let's never leave the house
I want to spend more time with you without the uncertainty and doubt in our relationship.
(But you don't mean it)
Your actions and behavior are not reflective of your true feelings and intentions.
Let's stay in bed while all our friends go out
I want to prioritize our relationship and spend time alone together.
Why you let those words come out of your mouth?
I am wondering why you have expressed certain feelings or intentions if you do not truly mean them.
(If you don't mean it)
It is important that your words match your true feelings and intentions.
You've been staring at me with a heart of doubt (ah)
Your uncertainty and hesitation in our relationship is causing me emotional distress and insecurity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ari Leff, John Graham Hill, Jordan Richard Palmer, Michael Matosic, Michael Ross Pollack, Paul Jason Klein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AARON061997
[Verse 1: Lauv]
Small talk, no conversation
That look makes me impatient
I can't tell what you're thinking
Please, tell me what you're thinking
Last night, we were more than fine
Just tell me if you changed your mind
If you changed your mind (Mind)
[Pre-Chorus: Lauv]
'Cause I'm all, I'm all in
I'm calling, no answer
Would you text me when you feel like?
When it feels right to you
But I'm all, I'm all in
I'm falling faster
But if you're looking at me with a heart of doubt
[Chorus: Lauv]
Don't kiss me right now
Don't tell me that you need me
Don't show up at my house
All caught up in your feelings
Don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't build me up just to let me down
Just to let me down, down, down (Hey)
Don't mess with my head
Don't tell me you're falling
With your feet still on the ledge
I'm all out of breath
Baby, don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't kiss me, no, don't kiss me right now
On your lips, just leave it
If you don't mean it
[Verse 2: Paul Klein]
Oh, yeah
You know you got me in the palm of your hand
But I love those hands
Oh, yeah
But you only let me hold you when he can't
Yeah, I don't understand
[Pre-Chorus: Paul Klein]
'Cause I'm all, I'm all in
I'm calling, no answer
Would you text me when you feel like?
When it feels right to you
But I'm all, I'm all in
I'm falling faster
But if you're looking at me with a heart of doubt
[Chorus: Paul Klein]
Don't kiss me right now
Don't tell me that you need me
Don't show up at my house
All caught up in your feelings
Don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't build me up just to let me down
Just to let me down, down, down (Hey)
Don't mess with my head
Don't tell me you're falling
With your feet still on the ledge
I'm all out of breath
Baby, don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't kiss me, no, don't kiss me right now
On your lips, just leave it
If you don't mean it
[Bridge: Paul Klein & Lauv]
Hurry home, let's never leave the house (But you don't mean it)
Let's stay in bed while all our friends go out (But you don't mean it)
Why you let those words come out of your mouth? (If you don't mean it)
You've been staring at me with a heart of doubt (Ah)
[Chorus: Lauv & Paul Klein]
Don't kiss me right now
Don't tell me that you need me
Don't show up at my house
All caught up in your feelings
Don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't build me up just to let me down
Just to let me down, down, down (Hey)
Don't mess with my head
Don't tell me you're falling
With your feet still on the ledge
I'm all out of breath
Baby, don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't kiss me, no, don't kiss me right now
On your lips, just leave it
If you don't mean it
@lauvsongs
Watch more of Lauv’s music videos at https://lauv.lnk.to/OMVplaylist
@williamcolgate5708
wow, 5 hr ago
@mattyow777
hi lauv <3
@daydayen
Love u lauv
@lisahannekennedy5130
No
@lisahannekennedy5130
@@mattyow777 think i have been clear. Xo
@sketch_gibster8701
The song perfectly describes falling in love with someone who isn’t ready for a relationship
@Zoeymonteny
Yess
@thn9373
Your are so right...
@Petal2D
damn