Born in Oxford, England, Lewis grew up in a family of teachers with two brothers, an older brother named Tom and a twin brother named George. His passion for music began at the age of 13 when he started playing the guitar. However, it was only later, after joining his brothers' band, that he began singing. Lewis attended Bartholomew School in Eynsham and also worked as a 'dinner lady' at Cokethorpe School. At the age of 19, he moved to London to study at the London Centre of Contemporary Music.
Lewis initially started writing songs and performing under the moniker Rhys Lewis & the Relics. His talent caught the attention of Decca Records, which led to the release of his debut solo single, "Waking Up Without You," in late 2016. Over the next year, he released several successful singles, including "Be Your Man" and "Reason to Hate You," gaining millions of streams. Lewis embarked on tours with James TW and JP Cooper during this time.
In 2018, Lewis released his major-label debut, the Bad Timing EP, which further solidified his growing fan base. The EP showcased his soul and blues influences, with his distinctive singing style and guitar skills shining through. Lewis continued to release a string of successful singles in 2019, setting the stage for his debut album, Things I Chose to Remember, which was released in July 2020. The album stands out as it was recorded on analogue tape, a deliberate choice by Lewis to ensure meticulous attention to detail and clarity in the music.
Lewis draws inspiration from artists such as Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, whose lyrics resonated with him as a songwriter. He also cites influences from Led Zeppelin and Bill Withers, particularly the latter's song "Lean On Me."
His songwriting covers various aspects of his life, addressing topics such as the portrayal of men in the media, mental health, and personal relationships. Many of his songs revolve around themes of heartbreak, including "When Was The Last Time," "Be Your Man," and "Hurting." Lewis finds performing his song "No Right To Love You" particularly challenging due to its connection to a personal heartbreak, as it evokes intense emotions and memories associated with the breakup.
Reason To Hate You
Rhys Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And ruin these memories
'Cause I've gotta forget somehow
So I'm begging you, burn us to the ground
'Cause I know it's over
But I don't know what to do
So help me get over
And tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
'Cause I need a reason to hate you, a reason to let you go
A reason to move on 'cause without one I know I won't
So tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Where do we go from here?
Do you just disappear?
'Cause I don't think I can be your friend
When it feels like the break isn't gonna mend
Well I know it's over
But I don't know what to do
So help me get over
Help me get over you
And tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
'Cause I need a reason to hate you, a reason to let you go
A reason to move on 'cause without one I know I won't
So tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
'Cause even after all this time, I'm hoping I can change your mind
'Cause hope's the only open door left to choose
So let me out for good because I know that I'm not strong enough
To stop myself from feeling things for you
So don't give me the truth
Just tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
'Cause I need a reason to hate you, a reason to let you go
A reason to move on 'cause without one I know I won't
So tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
The lyrics of "hate u love u" by Rhys Lewis convey the pain and confusion of a person who wants to move on from a past relationship but is struggling to do so. The song reflects the singer's desperate plea for their ex-partner to provide a reason to hate them or let them go, as this would give the singer the motivation they need to move forward.
In the first verse, the singer asks their ex-partner to lie to them and ruin their memories together. They are desperate to forget and are willing to resort to extreme measures, asking their ex-partner to burn everything down and allow them to start anew. The chorus reveals the singer's conflicted emotions. They know that the relationship is over, but they feel lost and don't know how to move on. They beg for help in getting over their ex-partner.
The second verse explores the confusion and uncertainty that arises after a breakup. The singer questions where they can go from this point and wonders if their ex-partner will simply disappear from their life. They express their difficulty in being friends, as the pain from the break-up feels like it will never heal.
The bridge delves into the lingering hope the singer holds onto, despite knowing that it may be futile. They express a desire to change their ex-partner's mind, as hope is the last option they have left. However, they also acknowledge their own weakness in stopping themselves from feeling emotions for the person they are trying to move on from.
Overall, the lyrics of "hate u love u" depict the internal struggle of someone who wants to let go and move on but is caught in the limbo of lingering emotions and memories. They desperately seek closure and a reason to hate their ex-partner in order to find the strength to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you just lie to me
Can you please pretend and deceive me
And ruin these memories
And destroy the joyful moments we shared
'Cause I've gotta forget somehow
'Cause I desperately need to erase you from my mind
So I'm begging you, burn us to the ground
So I implore you to destroy our relationship completely
'Cause I know it's over
'Cause I am aware that it's finished
But I don't know what to do
Yet, I have no idea how to move forward
So help me get over
So assist me in getting past
Help me get over you
Assist me in overcoming my feelings for you
And tell me you love somebody else or something
And inform me that you have affection for someone else or anything
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Or confess that you have betrayed me
'Cause I need a reason to hate you, a reason to let you go
'Cause I require a justification to despise you, a justification to release you from my heart
A reason to move on 'cause without one I know I won't
A motive to progress because I am certain I won't be able to without it
So tell me you love somebody else or something
So inform me that you have affection for someone else or anything
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Or confess that you have betrayed me
Where do we go from here?
What is our direction from this point on?
Do you just disappear?
Do you simply vanish from my life?
'Cause I don't think I can be your friend
'Cause I don't believe I can maintain a friendship with you
When it feels like the break isn't gonna mend
When it seems like our separation will never heal
Well I know it's over
Well, I am aware that it's finished
But I don't know what to do
Yet, I have no idea how to move forward
So help me get over
So assist me in getting past
Help me get over you
Assist me in overcoming my feelings for you
And tell me you love somebody else or something
And inform me that you have affection for someone else or anything
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Or confess that you have betrayed me
'Cause I need a reason to hate you, a reason to let you go
'Cause I require a justification to despise you, a justification to release you from my heart
A reason to move on 'cause without one I know I won't
A motive to progress because I am certain I won't be able to without it
So tell me you love somebody else or something
So inform me that you have affection for someone else or anything
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Or confess that you have betrayed me
'Cause even after all this time, I'm hoping I can change your mind
'Cause even after all these moments, I still hope I can alter your perspective
'Cause hope's the only open door left to choose
'Cause hope is the sole opportunity remaining to decide
So let me out for good because I know that I'm not strong enough
So release me entirely because I acknowledge that I lack the strength
To stop myself from feeling things for you
To prevent myself from experiencing emotions for you
So don't give me the truth
So please refrain from telling me the truth
Just tell me you love somebody else or something
Simply inform me that you have affection for someone else or anything
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Or confess that you have betrayed me
'Cause I need a reason to hate you, a reason to let you go
'Cause I require a justification to despise you, a justification to release you from my heart
A reason to move on 'cause without one I know I won't
A motive to progress because I am certain I won't be able to without it
So tell me you love somebody else or something
So inform me that you have affection for someone else or anything
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Or confess that you have betrayed me
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Rhys Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
May Irwin
LYRICS
Can you just lie to me
And ruin these memories
Cause I've got to forget somehow
So I'm begging you, burn this to the ground
Cause I know it's over
But I don't know what to do
To help me get over
Help me get over you
And tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Cause I need a reason to hate you
A reason to let you go
A reason to move on
Cause without one I know I won't
So tell me you love somebody or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Where do we go from here
Do you just disappear
Cause I don't think I can be your friend
When it feels like the break isn't gonna mend
Well I know it's over
But I don't know what to do
So help me get over
Help me get over you
And tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Cause I need a reason to hate you
A reason to let you go
A reason to move on
Cause without one I know I won't
So tell me you love somebody or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Cause even after all this time
I'm hoping I can change your mind
Cause hope's the only open door left to choose
So lock me out for good because
I know that I'm not strong enough
To stop myself from feeling things for you
So don't give me the truth
And tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Cause I need a reason to hate you
A reason to let you go
A reason to move on
Cause without one I know I won't
So tell me you love somebody or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
- just by ear sorry for the mistakes
- I love how the lyrics are so brutally honest and straight forward but the song is so beautiful
- Thank you for this gem of a song Rhys!! Can't wait for more!
Thauany G. Martins Barbosa
Tradução para os brasileiros, não fiz uma tradução literal, só procurei deixar com o mesmo sentido, qualquer coisa me corrijam!
Rhys Lewis – Reason to hate you (Razão pra odiar você)
[Verso]
Você pode só mentir pra mim e destruir essas memórias?
Porque eu tenho que esquece-las de alguma maneira.
Então eu tô te implorando para que você nos queime até virarmos cinza.
[Pré-coro]
Porque eu sei que já acabou, mas eu não sei o que fazer
Então me ajude a superar, me ajude a superar você.
[Coro]
E me diga que você ama outro alguém ou alguma coisa do tipo
Ou diga que você me traiu
Porque eu preciso de uma razão pra odiar você
Uma razão pra deixar você ir
Uma razão pra seguir em frente
Porque sem uma razão, eu sei que eu não vou conseguir.
Então me diga que você ama outro alguém ou alguma coisa do tipo
Ou diga que você me traiu.
[Verso 2]
Pra onde nós vamos a partir daqui?
Você só vai desaparecer?
Porque eu não acho que eu consigo ser seu amigo
quando parece que esse rachado não vai ter concerto.
[Pré-coro]
Bem, eu sei que acabou, mas eu não sei o que fazer
então me ajude a superar, me ajude a superar você.
[Coro]
E me diga que você ama outro alguém ou alguma coisa do tipo
Ou diga que você me traiu
Porque eu preciso de uma razão pra odiar você
Uma razão pra deixar você ir
Uma razão pra seguir em frente
Porque sem uma razão, eu sei que eu não vou conseguir.
Então me diga que você ama outro alguém ou alguma coisa do tipo
Ou diga que você me traiu.
[Ponte]
Porque mesmo depois de todo esse tempo
Eu tô esperando que você volte atrás.
Porque a esperança é a única porta aberta que sobrou pra escolher
Então por bem me tranque do lado de fora por que
eu sei que eu não sou forte o suficiente
pra me parar de sentir essas coisas por você
então não me dê a verdade.
[Coro]
E me diga que você ama outro alguém ou alguma coisa do tipo
Ou diga que você me traiu
Porque eu preciso de uma razão pra odiar você
Uma razão pra deixar você ir
Uma razão pra seguir em frente
Porque sem uma razão, eu sei que eu não vou conseguir.
Então me diga que você ama outro alguém ou alguma coisa do tipo
Ou diga que você me traiu.
Dheeraj Sharma
Last words i wrote for my ex.
Its over...
Here i am writing the final chapter of our story.
the story which began with two people finding the best out of each other through thick and thin through dark and light through rough and well, not so rough phases of themselves.
The beginning was like any other usual story butterflies, smiles and happy times.
they both were into each other and everything seemed to be going well, atleast for one of them.
By the mid of it things started to change well one grew deeper the other fall apart, while one thought of possibilities of seeing the future together the other was thinking how to stop.
And just like every other story here comes the end... he was there waiting for her to hold him while she was busy looking to find herself.. and in the process they both changed for better or for worse no one knows but nothing ever felt the same...nothing ever felt the same.
This song is exactly what i needed right now to fill in the void.
Monoceros Queencess
Somehow, no matter how many times I've already listened to this, I still find myself listening to it over and over again.
And I don't know if you'll be able to see this but in case you do and recognize it's me, I want to tell you that I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I had to give up on us and let you go. I'm sorry I had to lie that I've moved on and pretend that I'm fine.
I'm sorry I had to lie that I don't love you.
But really.
I'm finding reasons to hate you and let you go.
Because it hurts so much to love you this much.
Rameji -chan
if this song speaks to you personally, let me tell you this. Don't chase them. Don't cling on to somebody who makes you question your soul, your love, your everything. One day you're going to meet somebody who's going to break your world into tiny, tiny pieces just to glue it back together into a better version around you. They're going to be everything you ever needed. And you're going to be everything they ever needed as well. And just like that, like a breeze, it's going to turn your life around without you having to chase after their attention.
So keep going. Keep pushing to become the best version you can be, to make your and their time the most wonderful. You can do it.
Jimmy Sullivan
I know this was a while ago, but thank you so much. I'm not going to say my conditions, because it doesn't matter now. This helped me a little bit to let him go. May you have a radical life :')
Corey McCracken
Much love bro 💙
tsukune4595
It doesnt help when they are famous and you are not, striving to write a book and make a movie they can show up in for five minutes and be gone, both fictionally and in life. Been broken down twice now and one of them being now and i can honestly say i cannot and will not ever hold another in my heart. I am 25 and ive got decades of solitude imprinted on my soul. The tale is for you people, the structure that made it happen was for me.
Rene Irene
😭😭😭
Patrick N
😢💔
May Irwin
LYRICS
Can you just lie to me
And ruin these memories
Cause I've got to forget somehow
So I'm begging you, burn this to the ground
Cause I know it's over
But I don't know what to do
To help me get over
Help me get over you
And tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Cause I need a reason to hate you
A reason to let you go
A reason to move on
Cause without one I know I won't
So tell me you love somebody or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Where do we go from here
Do you just disappear
Cause I don't think I can be your friend
When it feels like the break isn't gonna mend
Well I know it's over
But I don't know what to do
So help me get over
Help me get over you
And tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Cause I need a reason to hate you
A reason to let you go
A reason to move on
Cause without one I know I won't
So tell me you love somebody or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Cause even after all this time
I'm hoping I can change your mind
Cause hope's the only open door left to choose
So lock me out for good because
I know that I'm not strong enough
To stop myself from feeling things for you
So don't give me the truth
And tell me you love somebody else or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
Cause I need a reason to hate you
A reason to let you go
A reason to move on
Cause without one I know I won't
So tell me you love somebody or something
Or say you've been unfaithful to me
- just by ear sorry for the mistakes
- I love how the lyrics are so brutally honest and straight forward but the song is so beautiful
- Thank you for this gem of a song Rhys!! Can't wait for more!
Ελενη Παπανικολαου
May Irwin *so lock me out for good because 😊
May Irwin
Ah! Thank you!
Ilie Carina
May Irwin Thanks! 🌞