Rina told Apple Music:
"I felt the stage was an interesting metaphor for not just redemption, but that arc of storytelling."
Who's Gonna Save U Now?
Rina Sawayama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rina! Rina! Rina!
Rina! Rina! Rina!
Alright
Pain ain't gonna put it away
That's why you stay deep in my prayers
For so long I waited on you
So, you burned the bridges
And drained the rivers
I can't forgive you
Like I did before
Who's gonna save you now?
Who's gonna save you now, yeah?
(I wish you well, but go take it somewhere else)
Oh, who's gonna save you, save you, save you now?
Who's gonna save you now?
Given my benefit shot even when
(Given my benefit shot even when)
They told me not to, I said I've got to
Alright
Guess you became a project to me
(Guess you became a project to me)
Guess that says more about my psyche
(Hey you!)
You burned the bridges (uh huh)
And drained the rivers (so what)
Who cares, whatever
Heard it all before
Who's gonna save you now?
Who's gonna save you now, yeah?
(I wish you well, but go take it somewhere else)
Oh, who's gonna save you, save you, save you now?
I tried (I tried)
You made me lose my mind (my mind)
So many times, oh
I wish you well but go take it somewhere else
Oh, who's gonna save you, save you, save you now?
This ain't no absolution
I needed a resolution
Girl talking a revolution
(Hope you learn to live without her)
You wasted my time, don't need it
Say sorry, I don't believe it
You broke my back so I reset
Woah yeah
Who's gonna save you?
Who's gonna save you?
Who's gonna save you now?
Who's gonna save you?
Who's gonna save you?
Who's gonna save you now?
Who's gonna save you now?
Who's gonna save you now, yeah?
(I wish you well, but go take it somewhere else)
Oh, who's gonna save you, save you, save you now?
Who's gonna save you now?
Who's gonna save you now?
Who's gonna save you this time?
Who's gonna save you now?
Who's gonna save you?
Who's gonna save you now?
The song "Who's Gonna Save U Now?" by Rina Sawayama is about the emotional journey of healing from a toxic relationship. The song centers around the idea that the person who was toxic in the relationship must save themselves, as the other person has already done all they can to save them. The repeated line "Who's gonna save you now?" reflects the frustration and sense of hopelessness that comes with watching someone self-destruct and feeling powerless to intervene.
The first verse expresses a sense of betrayal and disappointment. The singer had been waiting for their partner to change, but ultimately they burned bridges and drained rivers, signifying a complete destruction of the relationship. The chorus emphasizes the question of who will save this person now, as the singer has exhausted all efforts in trying to rescue them.
The second verse shifts to the singer's internal dialogue and self-reflection. They acknowledge that their desire to save their partner may have been more about their own psychological need to take on a project rather than truly wanting to help. The bridge is a message to the person who was toxic in the relationship, stating that they must take responsibility for their actions and learn to live without their partner.
Overall, "Who's Gonna Save U Now?" is an empowering song about letting go of someone who is destructive and realizing that ultimately, they are the only ones who can save themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright
Acknowledging the situation as it is
Pain ain't gonna put it away
Ignoring the pain that has been felt
That's why you stay deep in my prayers
Still wishing for the best for the person despite their actions
For so long I waited on you
Hoping for the person to change for a while
Went with the lie 'til it was true
Believing in the illusion of the situation
So, you burned the bridges
Destroying any remaining connection to the person
And drained the rivers
Taking away any hope or possibility of reconciliation
I can't forgive you
Not able to forgive the person for their actions
Like I did before
Having forgiven the person in the past, but not able to now
Who's gonna save you now?
Asking who will come to the person's aid or rescue
I wish you well, but go take it somewhere else
Wishing the person the best, but not wanting to be involved anymore
Given my benefit shot even when
Given the benefit of the doubt, even when advised not to
(Given my benefit shot even when)
Reiterating the above point
They told me not to, I said I've got to
Ignoring advice and proceeding with hope for the person
Guess you became a project to me
Treating the person like a project to be fixed
Guess that says more about my psyche
Realizing the unhealthy dynamic in the relationship
You burned the bridges (uh huh)
Repeating the fact that the person destroyed any connection
And drained the rivers (so what)
Dismissing the person's actions that have caused so much damage
Heard it all before
Having experienced the person's destructive behavior before
I tried (I tried)
Having made an effort to help the person change their ways
You made me lose my mind (my mind)
Causing emotional distress and instability
So many times, oh
Reiterating the repeated nature of the person's actions
This ain't no absolution
Not offering forgiveness or release from guilt
I needed a resolution
Needing closure for the situation
Girl talking a revolution
Advocating for change and standing up against the destructive behavior
(Hope you learn to live without her)
Adding a side note about the hope for the person to learn to cope without someone else fixing their problems
You wasted my time, don't need it
Feeling like the person has taken up too much time and energy without any productive results
Say sorry, I don't believe it
Not believing or accepting any apologies from the person
You broke my back so I reset
Taking control and starting from scratch after being deeply hurt
Who's gonna save you?
Asking the same question again
Who's gonna save you the next time?
Asking who will come to the person's aid in the future
Who's gonna save you this time?
Asking who will save the person from their current situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, SENTRIC MUSIC
Written by: Adam Mark Crisp, Jonny Lattimer, Rina Sawayama, Richard Allan Cooper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind