lost cause
Sophie Cates Lyrics


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I still have the coat that you tore off
And I still get the feeling of pain with my thoughts
Don′t drive when you're high, don′t bring me along
Don't say that you love me
Don't tell me what went wrong
And don′t lie to me
But don′t tell me the truth
It's sweet and sickening
How I would die for you
So don′t tell me you love me
'Cause we both know that′s not true
But press your lips against my skin again
Give me something to pray to
Honey, you're a lightweight for true love
And when your smile fades, you look like God
He cried I′m a lost cause and my hopes are up
Then took a sip of what's drowning us
And don't lie to me
But don′t tell me the truth
It′s sweet and sickening
How I would die for you
So don't tell me you love me
′Cause we both know that's not true

But press your lips against my skin again
Give me something to pray to

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Sophie Cates's song 'Lost Cause' set a melancholic tone right off the bat. The singer speaks of a coat that her lover tore off at some point in the past, and the way that its presence continues to elicit feelings of pain in her. It's a visceral reminder of the intensity of their relationship, even if it's now over. The singer then sets out a series of commands to her former partner: don't drive while high, don't bring her along, don't say you love her, and don't tell her what went wrong. It's clear that there has been some kind of betrayal or heartbreak, and the singer is grappling with how to move forward.


The chorus of the song is where things really start to hit home emotionally. The singer acknowledges that her love for this person is intense and unhealthy - "It's sweet and sickening / How I would die for you." She knows that her lover doesn't really love her back, but she still craves his physical affection. "But press your lips against my skin again / Give me something to pray to," she sings. The final verse of the song brings in another character, referred to as "he." His words are despairing and nihilistic, proclaiming himself to be a lost cause. And yet, he too is wrapped up in this cycle of self-destructive behavior, taking a drink that is slowly crushing him. The song as a whole is a poignant reminder of the ways in which love and pain can become intertwined, and how we sometimes crave what we know will ultimately destroy us.


Line by Line Meaning

I still have the coat that you tore off
I have a painful reminder of you and what you did to me


And I still get the feeling of pain with my thoughts
Memories of you still hurt me deeply


Don′t drive when you're high, don′t bring me along
Don't endanger my life or put me in risky situations


Don't say that you love me
Don't lie to me about your feelings for me


Don't tell me what went wrong
I don't want to hear your excuses or reasons for why our relationship failed


And don′t lie to me
I deserve the truth, even if it hurts


But don′t tell me the truth
I can't handle the truth of what you really think or feel about me


It's sweet and sickening
Our toxic relationship is addictive and destructive at the same time


How I would die for you
I am so obsessed with you that I am willing to sacrifice everything for you


So don't tell me you love me
I know deep down that you don't truly love me


'Cause we both know that′s not true
We both understand that our relationship is built on lies and illusions


But press your lips against my skin again
Despite everything, I still crave your touch and intimacy


Give me something to pray to
I am so desperate for love and connection that I am willing to turn to anything or anyone for comfort


Honey, you're a lightweight for true love
You don't have the capacity or courage to truly love someone else


And when your smile fades, you look like God
You have a certain allure and charisma that is captivating but also devastating


He cried I′m a lost cause and my hopes are up
You acknowledge your flaws and failures, but you still cling to the hope that things might work out


Then took a sip of what's drowning us
You continue to indulge in destructive habits and behaviors that are ruining our relationship




Writer(s): Roger Kleinman, Sophie Cates, Zach Seaman, Charles Karlsfeld

Contributed by Jordan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@joemps

How hasn't blown up yet?? Literally every single one of her songs slap

@lemanh4967

i keep seeing ur comments lmaooo

@joemps

@@lemanh4967 BAHA my power is immaculate

@umm2905

I know 😖!!

@Hayarosehart

Every. Single. One. I haven't been this invested since I first discovered Lana.

@Lostirl8

Thanks to spotify for this masterpiece! 💕

@kunjchauhan7745

Yeah thanks to Spotify for every underrated song

@sofi7053

the aesthetic is EVERYTHING

@Rockyrocks2112

only 100k views....so underrated. can’t wait for her to blow up for the whole world to see her brilliance

@aoifeoof9259

i feel like i just watched a sci fi movie from the 60s

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