1 step forward 3 steps back
Olivia Rodrigo Lyrics
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Just to ask you how you were
All I did was speak normally
Somehow I still struck a nerve
You got me fucked up in the head, boy
Never doubted myself so much
Like, am I pretty? Am I fun, boy?
'Cause it's always one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand
No, I don't understand
And maybe in some masochistic way
I kinda find it all exciting
Like, which lover will I get today?
Will you walk me to the door or send me home cryin'?
It's one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand
No, it's back and forth, did I say something wrong?
It's back and forth, goin' over everything I said
It's back and forth, did I do something wrong?
It's back and forth, maybe this is all your fault
Instead it's one step forward and three steps back
And I'd leave you, but the roller coaster is all I've ever had
Yeah, it's one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy
I don't understand
No, I don't understand
Olivia Rodrigo's "1 step forward, 3 steps back" is a ballad about a tumultuous and emotionally unstable relationship. The song describes the singer's struggle to comprehend their partner's erratic behavior, which constantly leaves them feeling uncertain about their relationship's future. She calls him to ask how he's doing, but despite speaking normally, it often leads to a fight, making her question how he feels about her. The chorus follows the pattern of one step forward, three steps back, suggesting that actions that move the relationship forward are always met with a setback.
The second verse shifts the lyrics to the singer's perspective, and she explains how she craves the allure of the instability in the relationship, which is frustrating and incomprehensible. She even finds the repetition of the drama exciting, wondering what kind of lover she'll get that day, someone who will walk her to the door or someone who will make her cry on the way home. She's back and forth, and it's unclear if she or her partner is to blame for the constant turmoil.
Despite the relationship's downsides, the chorus concludes that the singer feels trapped, and she cannot imagine leaving the roller coaster of the relationship, which is all she's ever had. The song's final lines echo the confusion of the choruses: "Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand. No, I don't understand."
Interesting Facts about Olivia Rodrigo's "1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Called you on the phone today
I contacted you through a phone call
Just to ask you how you were
I inquired about your wellbeing
All I did was speak normally
I didn't use any unusual tone or language
Somehow I still struck a nerve
My ordinary conversation still managed to upset you
You got me fucked up in the head, boy
Your behavior and actions are affecting my mental state negatively
Never doubted myself so much
I have never been so unsure of my own worth
Like, am I pretty? Am I fun, boy?
I am questioning my attractiveness and whether I am enjoyable to be around
I hate that I give you power over that kind of stuff
I despise that you have control over my self-esteem and self-worth
'Cause it's always one step forward and three steps back
The progress in our relationship is always short-lived
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
You only care for me until I upset you, then everything changes
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand
I am confused about your true feelings towards me
And maybe in some masochistic way
Perhaps in a twisted manner
I kinda find it all exciting
I sort of find this instability thrilling
Like, which lover will I get today?
I wonder which version of you I will interact with today
Will you walk me to the door or send me home cryin'?
Will you treat me kindly or hurt me before I leave?
No, it's back and forth, did I say something wrong?
It's a constant cycle of uncertainty and doubt about my actions and words
It's back and forth, goin' over everything I said
I keep obsessing over every little thing I said and wondering if it triggered your anger
It's back and forth, did I do something wrong?
I keep questioning if my actions were inappropriate
It's back and forth, maybe this is all your fault
I start blaming you for the instability in our relationship
Instead it's one step forward and three steps back
Our romantic progress is always followed by regression
And I'd leave you, but the roller coaster is all I've ever had
I would break up with you, but this unpredictability is all I have ever experienced in love
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy
I am unsure of your emotions towards me
I don't understand
I cannot comprehend the constant instability in our relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Antonoff, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pepperminty
Driver license - depression
Deja Vu - envy
Good 4 u- rage
Brutal- self destructive
Traitor- mournful
1sf,3sb-selfless
Enough for u- thoughtfulness
Happier- acceptance
Jealousy jealousy- self esteem
Favourite crime- blameful
Hope ur ok- open minded
This album is great ❤
Alonso Rojas Valenzuela
Olivia Rodrigo - 1 step forward, 3 steps back (Lyric)
I called you on the phone today
Just to ask you how you were
All I did was speak normally
Somehow I still struck a nerve
You got me fucked up in the head, boy
Never doubted myself so much
Like, am I pretty? Am I fun, boy?
I hate that I give you power over that kinda stuff
'Cause it's always one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand
No, I don't understand
And maybe in some masochistic way
I kind of find it all exciting
Like, which lover will I get today?
Will you walk me to the door or send me home crying?
It's one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand
No, it's back and forth, did I say something wrong?
It's back and forth, going over everything I said
It's back and forth, did I do something wrong?
It's back and forth, maybe this is all your fault
Instead it's one step forward and three steps back
And I'd leave you, but the roller coaster's all I ever had
Yeah, it's one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy
I don't understand
No, I don't understand
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Called you on the phone today
Just to ask you how you were
All I did was speak normally
Somehow I still struck a nerve
You got me fucked up in the head, boy
Never doubted myself so much
Like, am I pretty? Am I fun, boy?
I hate that I give you power over that kind of stuff
'Cause it's always one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand
No, I don't understand
And maybe in some masochistic way
I kinda find it all exciting
Like, which lover will I get today?
Will you walk me to the door or send me home cryin'?
It's one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand
No, it's back and forth, did I say something wrong?
It's back and forth, goin' over everything I said
It's back and forth, did I do something wrong?
It's back and forth, maybe this is all your fault
Instead it's one step forward and three steps back
And I'd leave you, but the roller coaster is all I've ever had
Yeah, it's one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy
I don't understand
No, I don't understand
iiiiiiii
I like to think all these songs are connected and telling a story.
In relationship:
1sf 3sb: Rant
Enough For You: Insecurity and Jealousy
Drivers License: Break up and Depression
After the Breakup:
Traitor: Blame and Denial
Fav Crime: Delusion and Denial
Good 4 U: Bitterness
Deja Vu: Reflecting
Happier: Mid Acceptance
Hope Ur Ok: Acceptance
Few years after moving on and accepting
Brutal: Insecurity
Jealousy: Envy
V.I.P Dance
I’m proud of you for waking up.
I’m proud of you for brushing your hair.
I’m proud of you for blinking.
I’m proud of you for breathing.
I’m proud of you for making your bed.
I’m proud of you for eating.
I’m proud of you for TRYING to eat.
I’m proud of you for drinking water.
I’m proud of you for being here.
I’m proud of you for being you.
I’m proud of you for smiling.
I’m proud of you for continuing on even when things are difficult for you.
I’m proud of you for standing up.
I’m proud of you for blinking.
I’m proud of you for getting out of bed after spending the whole day in bed.
I’m proud of you for brushing your teeth.
I’m proud of you for standing up.
I’m proud of you for sitting down.
I’m proud of you for defending yourself.
I’m proud of you for believing in yourself.
I’m proud of you for simply trying.
I’m proud of you for being alive.
IM PROUD OF YOU. ♥️
MTV
HOW ARE YOU WRITING THE THOUGHTS IN MY HEAD ON EACH SONG???
Daya oof
Hi
emilia helena
Ah mtv you're finally here
Anushka Roy
Exactly😭
Gabriella Hernandez
AHHHHH
R.L.T
MTV what's up???? how was your week so far?
Pepperminty
Driver license - depression
Deja Vu - envy
Good 4 u- rage
Brutal- self destructive
Traitor- mournful
1sf,3sb-selfless
Enough for u- thoughtfulness
Happier- acceptance
Jealousy jealousy- self esteem
Favourite crime- blameful
Hope ur ok- open minded
This album is great ❤
IFRAH
1sf3sb should be DOUBT.
Kane bubbles🖤
I completely agree this album is great! 💜🖤💜💜💜💜
Lenalol_❤️❤️
Same