Zayn titled this song “rEaR vIeW” because in this song he reminisces people and thoughts from his past and present. He’s essentially looking back in a, figuratively speaking, “rear view” mirror.
While the New York Times said the track “channels austere late-1980s-to-early-90s British R&B from Lisa Stansfield to Rick Astley,” “rEaR vIeW” also has clear influences from Frank Ocean, particularly in the double-tracked vocals on the song’s bridge.
Like much of Mind of Mine, the song’s lyrics have variously been speculated as being about One Direction as well as ex-fiancee Perrie Edwards.
Rear View
Zayn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I have no time to help you find
All the words
Melodies and memories
Stories that sound absurd
I will tell no lies
As long as you look me in the eyes
I'll follow behind (oh oh oh)
Heard about all the things you done
And all the walls you've been in
Heard about all the love you lost
It was over before it began
Heard about all the miles you've gone
Just to start again
Heard about all the things you've been through
It sounds like you need a friend, a friend
Please don't wait
I'm not coming home tonight
I wanna love you but I can't (oh oh oh)
As long as you look me in the eyes
I'll go wherever you are
I'll follow behind (oh oh oh)
Heard about all the things you done
And all the walls you've been in
Heard about all the love you lost
It was over before it began
Heard about all the miles you've gone
Just to start again
Heard about all the things you've been through
It sounds like you need a friend, a friend
I never doubted myself
But I doubted you
I'm tired of looking at myself
In my rear view
(Oh oh oh)
Heard about all the things you done
And all the walls you've been in
Heard about all the love you lost
It was over before it began (oh oh oh)
Heard about all the miles you've gone
Just to start again
Heard about all the things you've been through
And it sounds like you need a friend, a friend
The lyrics of Zayn's song "Rear View" depict a man who is trying to show his love for someone who seems to be struggling in life. He speaks about the person's journey, the walls they have hit, the love they lost, and the things they have been through, hence needing a friend. He acknowledges that helping the person needs time, but all he asks is for the person to look at him in the eyes so he can follow them wherever they go. He also reassures the person that he will not lie to them, indicating that he values honesty in the relationship.
Throughout the song, Zayn emphasizes his support for the person and their journey towards a better life. However, there is a sense of frustration as he doubts the person's ability to succeed. He implies that the person has a habit of starting over, going through miles, and repeating the same mistakes, making him tired of looking at himself in his rearview, possibly indicating that he is losing faith in the person's ability to change their life.
In summary, the song's lyrics show Zayn's concern for someone he loves, who seems to be struggling in life. He wishes to help the person out of their situation, but he is doubtful if they can change.
Line by Line Meaning
Can your heart be mine in search
I'm wondering if there's potential for us to be together
'Cause I have no time to help you find
I can't be the one to fix all your problems for you
All the words
All the things we've said to each other
Melodies and memories
All the shared experiences we've had
Stories that sound absurd
The things we've been through together may sound crazy to others
I will tell no lies
I promise to always be honest with you
As long as you look me in the eyes
As long as we have strong, genuine connection
I'll go wherever you are
I'm willing to support you, no matter where you are
I'll follow behind (oh oh oh)
I'll always be there to support and encourage you
Heard about all the things you done
I've heard stories about your past experiences and actions
And all the walls you've been in
I've heard you've faced some obstacles in your life
Heard about all the love you lost
I know you've been through tough breakups and heartache
It was over before it began
It's clear that some romantic relationships haven't worked out for you
Heard about all the miles you've gone
I know you've traveled far distances, perhaps to escape or start fresh
Just to start again
It seems like you're always searching for the next opportunity
It sounds like you need a friend, a friend
From everything I've heard, it seems like you could use a supportive companion
Please don't wait
I don't want to waste any more time
I'm not coming home tonight
I'm choosing to spend time with you, even if it means foregoing other obligations
I wanna love you but I can't (oh oh oh)
While I have strong feelings for you, I acknowledge that we may not be able to pursue a romantic relationship
I never doubted myself
I've always believed in my own abilities
But I doubted you
I've had moments of uncertainty regarding your character or intentions
I'm tired of looking at myself
I'm growing weary of my own self-reflection and doubts
In my rear view (Oh oh oh)
I'm ready to leave my doubts behind and move forward
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Harold S. Lilly, James R.W. Ho, Zain Javadd Malik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leticiafernandes2348
Can your heart be mine in search?
Cause I have no time
To help you find all the words
Melodies and memories
Stories that sound absurd
I will tell no lies
As long as you look me in the eyes
I'll go wherever you are
I'll follow behind
Heard about all the things you've done
And all the wars that you've been in
Heard about all the love you lost
It was over before it began
Heard about all the miles you've gone
Just to start again
Heard about all
That you've been through
And it sounds like you need a friend
A friend
Please don't wait
I'm not coming home tonight
I wanna love you but I can't
As long as you look me in the eyes
I'll go wherever you are
I'll follow behind
Heard about all the things you've done
And all the wars that you've been in
Heard about all the love you lost
It was over before it began
Heard about all the miles you've gone
Just to start again
Heard about all
That you've been through
And it sounds like you need a friend
A friend
I never doubted myself
But I doubted you
I'm tired of looking at myself
In my rear view
Heard about all the things you've done
And all the wars that you've been in
Heard about all the love you lost
It was over before it began
Heard about all the miles you've gone
Just to start again
Heard about all the
That you've been through
And it sounds like you need a friend
A friend
@dragvandil6558
the fact zayn wrote this about himself breaks my heart
@vangogh_
how do you know?
@saadahmad4921
@@vangogh_ I think he said that in his book
@manav2663
@@vangogh_ in his book
@honeybucket246
One word: harryyyy
@huevember
In the book he's written that this song is about how he was feeling about being independent. He told his producer that he wanted a song where he was a man reflected in a mirror, talking to himself about what he was doing & feeling. (I have literally quoted the book out, it's right in front of me, so don't come at me for anything)
@jessicademers2663
If Zayn never left the band, look at all the wonderful songs we would be missing out on such as rear view
@danielaiorga9851
I swear. I love his music.
@celebrationalways2408
@@danielaiorga9851 same
@divyanshidd
IKR