The speaker recognizes that when they wake up sober, their partner's love is not the same as when they were drunk. The partner only does enough to keep the relationship going, but the speaker is aware that the relationship isn't healthy. Despite knowing they should leave, the speaker is unable to resist their partner's love.
Overall, "Sober" conveys the message that love and addiction don't mix, and trying to love someone who is struggling with addiction can be challenging and ultimately lead to a toxic relationship.
Sober
Selena Gomez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only for a moment, but I don't mind
Guess I don't know where to draw the line, the line, the line
We're playing the same game every night
Up in the clouds
Yeah, you know how to make me want you
When we come down
You don't know how to love me when you're sober
When the bottle's done, you pull me closer
You're saying all the things that you're supposed to
But you don't know how to love me when you're sober
Why is it so different when we wake up?
Same lips, same kiss, but not the same touch
Don't you know that you doing just enough, but not enough
But I know what's next, and I want so much
Up in the clouds
Yeah, you know how to make me want you
When we come down
Oh, I know, yeah I know, it's over
You don't know how to love me when you're sober
When the bottle's done, you pull me closer
You're saying all the things that you're supposed to
But you don't know how to love me when you're sober
I know I should leave, I know I should, should, should
But your love's too good, your love's too good, good, good
I know I should leave, I know I should, should, should
But your love's too good, your love's too good, good, good
Yeah
You don't know how to love me when you're sober
When the bottle's done, you pull me closer
You're saying all the things that you're supposed to
But you don't know how to love me when you're sober
You've got a hold on me
You're like a wasted dream
I gave you everything
But you don't know how to love me when you're sober
In her song "Sober," Selena Gomez speaks of a turbulent relationship, one where each partner falls for the other at the wrong time. She doesn't know where to draw the line as they play the same game every night. They have moments of passion but it seems like when they come back down to earth, the relationship becomes dysfunctional. Gomez is vocal about her partner's inability to connect with her on an emotional level when they're sober, and he only seeks her when he's drunk. The relationship becomes more complicated, and Gomez is fully aware of it, but she can't seem to let go of the good moments, and it's hard for her to leave the relationship entirely. She is ready to walk away, but his love is too overpowering for her to resist, even though she knows it's not healthy for her.
Gomez's emotional portrayal of this tumultuous relationship is a critical element of the song. It's a stark reminder of the complications that come with human relationships and how love can be painful to navigate. The song's lyrics convey the pain of loving someone who is not ready to return that love in a committed way, something many can relate to. Gomez's vocals also make the song quite palpable, as her voice is raw with emotion, and it pulls listeners into the depths of the song with her.
Line by Line Meaning
We fall for each other at the wrong time
Our timing is off, we are attracted to each other but it's not the right time for us to be together
Only for a moment, but I don't mind
Even though our connection is brief, I'm still engaged in the moment and don't want it to end
Guess I don't know where to draw the line, the line, the line
I struggle with knowing when to set boundaries and remain in control in our relationship
We're playing the same game every night
Our relationship has become repetitive and predictable, like a game we play over and over again
Up in the clouds
In a state of euphoria or bliss
Yeah, you know how to make me want you
You have a way of making me desire you deeply
When we come down
When the euphoria wears off
Oh, I know, yeah I know, it's over
I'm aware that the temporary rush of our relationship is coming to an end
You don't know how to love me when you're sober
You struggle with expressing genuine emotion and connection when you're not under the influence of alcohol or drugs
When the bottle's done, you pull me closer
You use alcohol as a catalyst to intensify our connection
You're saying all the things that you're supposed to
You're following a preconceived script of how you should express your feelings towards me
But you don't know how to love me when you're sober
You lack the ability to authentically connect with me without being under the influence
Why is it so different when we wake up?
The dynamic between us when we're sober is vastly different than when we're under the influence
Same lips, same kiss, but not the same touch
We have the same physical connection, but the emotional connection is not as strong when we're sober
Don't you know that you're doing just enough, but not enough
You're putting in effort, but it's not enough to maintain a meaningful connection when sober
But I know what's next, and I want so much
I have a clear idea of what I want from our relationship in the future, and it's more than what we currently have
I know I should leave, I know I should, should, should
I'm aware that I should end our relationship for my own well-being
But your love's too good, your love's too good, good, good
Despite the negative aspects of our relationship, the love and connection we share is too strong for me to simply walk away
You've got a hold on me
You have a strong emotional grip on me
You're like a wasted dream
You're like a fleeting, surreal experience that is ultimately unattainable
I gave you everything
I've invested heavily in our relationship, giving you all that I can
But you don't know how to love me when you're sober
You struggle with truly connecting and expressing love without the aid of alcohol or drugs
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chloe Angelides, Jacob Kasher, Julia Michaels, Mikell Eriksen Hermansen, Selena Gomez, Tor Hermansen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@reem-kj3rz
Me 🙆💕💞
@aishathheena693
Me too :-)
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I love it😘😘😘
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Me 😍
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WE 😎
@selenatorforever3906
Such an underrated masterpiece♥♥♥♥
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selenator forever yes you are right
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With the picture
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My fav 😍💕