The band this song for the first time at Coachella Festival on April 14, three days before its release, introducing it as “a song about somebody fumbling the bag.” It had its radio debut as “Hottest Record” on BBC Radio 1’s Future Sounds with Clara Amfo on April 17, 2023.
“This song is just rubbing your hot ass in the face of someone who messed up their chance of being with you. It’s a bit vengeful and mean, but also fun. Fuck it. Once I sent Naomi and Jo the demo they really took the cockiness in the lyric and vocal performance and carried it to the extreme with the production of the track. It became this super bombastic, Janet Jackson-era track. Ally Pankiw, who directed the music video with Taylor James, then came up with the idea of putting the music video in a criminal underworld, which we thought fit perfectly. Plus we wanted an excuse to dress Jo up like The Bear.“
– Katie Gavin via DORK
One That Got Away
Muna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the one brave enough to say how I was feeling
I'm the one waiting by the phone
The one who is home alone
'Til I realized you were only messing around
Yeah, you played it like a game
Never called it by its name
Isn't it a shame how
Now I'm the one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Tell me that you hate it
Hate that I'm no longer in your reach
If I can't hear you say it
Maybe you can't change it but if you never
If you never put it on the line
How am I gonna sign for it?
Yeah, you never
You never let me know I'm what you want
Maybe that's why I'm the one
The one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Now I'm the one that got away
Tell me that you hate it
I'm the one who's crying over you in a bath on weekend
But I'm the one who isn't scared
To doubt any love on the deep end
You're the one lying to your friends
You're the one who can't pretend that
There are no consequences to what you do
But the truth is that it's costly
Baby, 'cause you lost me
Soon enough you're gonna see
That I'm the one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Tell me that you hate it
Hate that I'm no longer in your reach
If I can't hear you say it
Maybe you can't change it, but if you never
(If you never, if you never)
If you never put it on the line
How am I gonna sign for it?
Yeah, you never
You never let me know I'm what you want
Maybe that's why
I'm the one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Tell me that you hate it
Hate that I'm no longer in your reach
If I can't hear you say it
Maybe you can't change it but if you never
If you never put it on the line
How am I gonna sign for it?
Yeah you never
You never let me know I'm what you want
Maybe that's why I'm
The one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Now I'm the one that got away
Tell me that you hate it
The lyrics of Muna's song "One That Got Away" depict a story of unrequited love and the feelings of betrayal and regret that come with it. The singer is expressing that they were the one who took the risk of opening themselves up, being honest about their feelings, and waiting for a connection to develop. However, they come to realize that the other person was only playing games, never truly committing or acknowledging the relationship for what it was. The singer becomes the one who got away, the one that the other person missed out on. The pain and resentment are evident in lines like "Tell me that you hate it" and "Hate that I'm no longer in your reach."
The song also demonstrates a sense of empowerment from the singer's perspective. They acknowledge their own strength, willing to cry and doubt love but still unafraid to venture into deep emotions. They confront the lies told by the other person to their friends and emphasize that there are consequences for their actions. The singer firmly believes that the other person will eventually come to realize the loss they have incurred by letting them go.
Overall, "One That Got Away" encapsulates the emotions of heartbreak, betrayal, and the realization that sometimes, despite putting oneself out there, things don't work out as expected. It portrays the singer as someone who is not afraid to express their vulnerability, but also someone who recognizes their own worth and refuses to settle for less than they deserve.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the one who opened up ready for a connection
I was vulnerable and willing to establish a meaningful relationship
I'm the one brave enough to say how I was feeling
I had the courage to express my emotions
I'm the one waiting by the phone
I patiently waited for your call
The one who is home alone
I spent my time alone
'Til I realized you were only messing around
But then I discovered that you were just playing games
Yeah, you played it like a game
You treated our relationship as a mere game
Never called it by its name
You never acknowledged what we had
Isn't it a shame how
Isn't it unfortunate that
Now I'm the one that got away
Now I'm the person you lost
The kiss you never tasted
You never experienced my affection
Tell me that you hate it
Admit that you despise this situation
Hate that I'm no longer in your reach
Despise that you can't have me anymore
If I can't hear you say it
If I can't hear you confess
Maybe you can't change it but if you never
Maybe you can't alter the outcome, but if you never
If you never put it on the line
If you never took a risk
How am I gonna sign for it?
How can I commit to something uncertain?
You never let me know I'm what you want
You never made it clear that I'm your desire
Maybe that's why I'm the one
Perhaps that's why I'm the person
I'm the one that got away
I'm the person you lost
The kiss you never tasted
You never experienced my affection
Now I'm the one that got away
Now I'm the person you lost
Tell me that you hate it
Admit that you despise this situation
I'm the one who's crying over you in a bath on weekend
I'm the person shedding tears for you in a vulnerable moment
But I'm the one who isn't scared
However, I'm the person who is not afraid
To doubt any love on the deep end
To question any affection at a profound level
You're the one lying to your friends
You're the person deceiving your friends
You're the one who can't pretend that
You're the person who can't fake that
There are no consequences to what you do
There are no repercussions for your actions
But the truth is that it's costly
But the reality is that it comes with a price
Baby, 'cause you lost me
Darling, because you lost my affection
Soon enough you're gonna see
Eventually, you will realize
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Josette Maskin, Katie Gavin, Naomi McPherson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MYŌ
I'm the one who opened up ready for a connection
I'm the one brave enough to say how I was feeling
I'm the one waiting by the phone
The one who is home alone
'Til I realized you were only messing around
Yeah, you played it like a game
Never called it by its name
Isn't it a shame how
Now I'm the one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Tell me that you hate it
Hate that I'm no longer in your reach
If I can't hear you say it
Maybe you can't change it but if you never
If you never put it on the line
How am I gonna sign for it?
Yeah, you never
You never let me know I'm what you want
Maybe that's why I'm the one
The one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Now I'm the one that got away
Tell me that you hate it
I'm the one who's crying over you in a bath on weekend
But I'm the one who isn't scared
To doubt any love on the deep end
You're the one lying to your friends
You're the one who can't pretend that
There are no consequences to what you do
But the truth is that it's costly
Baby, 'cause you lost me
Soon enough you're gonna see
That I'm the one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Tell me that you hate it
Hate that I'm no longer in your reach
If I can't hear you say it
Maybe you can't change it, but if you never
(If you never, if you never)
If you never put it on the line
How am I gonna sign for it?
Yeah, you never
You never let me know I'm what you want
Maybe that's why
I'm the one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Tell me that you hate it
Hate that I'm no longer in your reach
If I can't hear you say it
Maybe you can't change it but if you never
If you never put it on the line
How am I gonna sign for it?
Yeah you never
You never let me know I'm what you want
Maybe that's why I'm
The one that got away
The kiss you never tasted
Now I'm the one that got away
Tell me that you hate it
EverAppl14
I cannot explain how incredible this 80's synth pop resurgence has been for my life.
John Patino
You've got to listen to Trevor something & the midnight if you haven't heard of them thank me later
Korr_Michaels
@John Patinothe midnight is fvcking EVERYTHING!!!!!!!
Moonfoot
Same
ella elise
I honestly prefer them when they have a more indie pop sound
Peyton Hickman
They can’t make a bad song.
Aiur
Like not even if they tried, the sheer talent is intimidating
Laura M
It's literally impossible at this point
Leonel Dolara
I absolutely agree. I love every single. I love them❤❤❤
HayleBaJayle
Right?