Better Off
Zachary Stein Lyrics
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With you and our friend
We hit it off right on the spot
It's going straight to my head
I'm noticing you're beautiful
I'm falling again
And you ask me how I feel about you and him
And then I see you come along
I wasn't looking anymore
Of course you came and stole my heart
Music store in Philly where I wrote you this song
Wishing you came with me so I could've won your heart
A city made of love songs
You could've wrote ours
I know that he'd be good for you, but I'd be so much more
Sometimes I think that I would just be better off alone
And then I see you come along
I wasn't looking anymore
Of course you came and stole my heart
If I one wish we'd talk forever
Forgetting coffee altogether
Thought I'd fly, fly on through
Carry my heart away with you
If I one wish we'd talk forever
Forgetting coffee altogether
Thought I'd fly, fly on through
Carry my heart away with you
Sometimes I think that I would just be better off alone
And then I see you come along
I wasn't looking anymore
Of course you came and stole my heart
(Thinking I'd be better off alone)
And then I see you come along
(And then I swore I'd be alone)
I wasn't looking anymore
(We'd be much better off alone)
Of course you came and stole my heart
(I just wanna be alone)
The lyrics of Zachary Stein's song Better Off tell the story of a person who is struggling with their feelings for someone. The song describes a situation where the singer meets someone they are attracted to, but then feel conflicted because they are in a relationship with another person. The singer admits to falling for this person and being charmed by them. The singer then admits to the conflicting emotions they are experiencing due to the other person's romantic involvement. The song describes how the singer realizes that they would be better off alone, but then ends up falling in love with the other person anyway.
The first verse of the song "South side coffee shop, with you and our friend. We hit it off right on the spot. It's going straight to my head. I'm noticing you're beautiful, I'm falling again. And you ask me how I feel about you and him" portrays the singer entranced by someone they just met at a coffee shop with their friend. They are falling for the person in front of them, despite realizing that they are already involved with someone else.
The chorus of the song "Sometimes I think that I would just be better off alone, and then I see you come along. I wasn't looking anymore. Of course you came and stole my heart" describes how the singer realizes that they should be alone but then falls in love with this person who stole their heart. The music store in Philly, where the singer wrote the song, represents their hopes to please the person they are attracted to.
Overall, better off is a story of trying to navigate complex relationships and emotions while trying to come to grips with one's desires and needs.
Line by Line Meaning
South side coffee shop
The location where the singer met someone he is interested in romantically.
With you and our friend
The person the singer is interested in romantically is present with the singer and a mutual friend.
We hit it off right on the spot
The singer and the person he is interested in romantically formed a connection immediately.
It's going straight to my head
The singer's emotions are affecting his thoughts and judgment.
I'm noticing you're beautiful
The singer is attracted to the physical appearance of the person he is interested in romantically.
I'm falling again
The singer is experiencing romantic feelings for someone new.
And you ask me how I feel about you and him
The person the singer is interested in romantically is asking the singer about his feelings regarding her and another person.
Sometimes I think that I would just be better off alone
The singer sometimes considers that he would be happier without a romantic partner.
And then I see you come along
The singer's mindset changes when he meets someone he is interested in romantically.
I wasn't looking anymore
The singer was not actively seeking out a romantic partner.
Of course you came and stole my heart
The person the singer is interested in romantically won him over quickly.
Music store in Philly where I wrote you this song
The specific location where the singer wrote a song for the person he is interested in romantically.
Wishing you came with me so I could've won your heart
The singer wishes he could have convinced the person he is interested in romantically to accompany him to the music store in Philadelphia so he could have impress her with his songwriting.
A city made of love songs
Philadelphia is a city that has inspired numerous love songs.
You could've wrote ours
The singer imagines a scenario where he and the person he is interested in romantically write their own love song together.
I know that he'd be good for you, but I'd be so much more
The singer believes that while another person may be a good match for the person he is interested in romantically, he would be an even better match.
If I one wish we'd talk forever
The singer expresses a desire to have a never-ending conversation with the person he is interested in romantically.
Forgetting coffee altogether
The singer desires a connection with the person he is interested in romantically that goes beyond just grabbing coffee.
Thought I'd fly, fly on through
The singer imagines a feeling of exhilaration while pursuing a romantic relationship with the person he is interested in.
Carry my heart away with you
The singer desires to emotionally connect with the person he is interested in romantically and for her to reciprocate his feelings.
(Thinking I'd be better off alone)
The singer again considers that he would be happier without a romantic partner.
(And then I swore I'd be alone)
The singer contradicts his previous statement and affirms that he will remain alone.
(We'd be much better off alone)
The singer imagines a scenario where he and the person he is interested in romantically are both happier if they were not together.
(I just wanna be alone)
The singer restates his desire to be alone and unattached romantically.
Writer(s): Zachary Stein
Contributed by Skyler C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.