OFF & ON

Song Meaning

These lyrics plunge into the messy, conflicted reality of an on-again, off-again relationship. The speaker is caught between lingering affection and a fierce desire to break free from the cycle. It's a snapshot of emotional whiplash, where every step forward feels like a step back. The central tension explodes in the hook's raw declaration: "I missed you but fuck it all." This isn't just a breakup song; it's a battleground of internal conflict. The speaker acknowledges past connection and even offers comfort ("I'll be always here"), yet simultaneously asserts a non-negotiable demand for agency: "Can't be us unless I'm involved." What makes these lyrics so sharp is the stark contrast between past and present. The first verse recalls a time of mutual support, where the other person "was there when I was a mess." But by the second verse, the speaker has shifted, embracing a "new life" and "tying up the loose ends." This evolution leads to a definitive, almost defiant statement: "What you want, I don't want it babe." Ultimately, the repeated refrain, "We've been off and on way too long," hammers home the exhaustion and the urgent need for clarity. The lyrics capture the frustrating loop of a relationship that refuses to end cleanly, leaving both parties in a state of prolonged ambiguity, unable to "see clearly."