This Is How It Went

The overall theme of "This Is How It Went" is about navigating the emotional chaos after a relationship ends. The lyrics reflect a struggle to express feelings, along with the desire to turn that pain into something creative. The artist highlights the power of songwriting as a healing tool, hinting that both love and hurt can inspire art. It’s a raw take on the idea that sometimes, writing about our experiences helps us make sense of them.

Verse 1

Scared to speak, finding words
For an email to you
Try to see, through the hurt
To find a stuck on my shoe Hangin on, piece of gum
It's time to let it go
Lose
Why just move on

This verse sets the stage for the emotional struggle the singer is facing. The opening lines show a hesitance to communicate, which many can relate to after a breakup. The imagery of being stuck, like gum on a shoe, suggests feeling trapped by past issues. It hints at the internal battle of wanting to move on but being held back by unresolved feelings.

Chorus

And let me write a song like all the songs I love to listen to
Writing cause I'm healing now through writing songs to hurt you
Using what I'm best at and I hope you do the same
I'm sure we'd make a movie

In the chorus, the singer expresses a desire to channel pain into music. There's a strong sense of empowerment here; writing songs becomes a way to cope and heal. It also hints at a mutual understanding that both partners could benefit from turning their experiences into art. The idea of making a movie suggests a narrative, showing how personal stories can unfold dramatically.

Verse 2

I turned off the TV and I layed in my bed
Sad exage, blessedfully
Listening to Elliot
Writing songs, he did the same About situations
Would have been, just the same
You had to make it obvious
Oh come on man

Here, the singer reflects on isolation and nostalgia. Turning off the TV to lay in bed suggests a moment of introspection. Mentioning Elliot, likely Elliot Smith, connects the singer to a tradition of artists who write about heartbreak. There’s a sense of camaraderie in feeling sad, but it’s also tinged with frustration towards the other person’s actions. The "oh come on man" adds a touch of exasperation, as if pleading for clarity.

Chorus

Just let me write a song like all the songs I love to listen to
Writing cause I'm healing now through writing songs to hurt you
Using what I'm best at and I hope you do the same
I'm sure we'd make a movie

Repeating the chorus reinforces the theme of healing through creativity. It emphasizes how songwriting is a crucial outlet for dealing with heartbreak. The repetition adds weight, making it clear that this is the heart of the song. It’s a reminder that art can come from pain, and there’s a hope that both people can find their voice in the aftermath.

Bridge

And you messed up
All by yourself
And I sat right here secretly try to help
And I did my best, and you never know But sure satisfaction's for you just the gloat?
And it was my song
Or just to some
You made it worse just by singing along

In the bridge, a shift occurs. The singer directly addresses the other person, expressing frustration with their actions. It’s a moment of confrontation, revealing feelings of betrayal and disappointment. The lines about trying to help but feeling unappreciated create a strong emotional punch. It’s a realization that sometimes the other person may not recognize the hurt they’ve caused, which adds to the pain.

Chorus

Just keep busy
Or make a movie
And I will stick to writing my songs
Getting tired
Don't wanna' speak Oh please let me go to sleep

The closing chorus brings in a sense of exhaustion. There’s a strong desire to escape the emotional turmoil. The mention of making a movie again highlights the desire for narrative control, while the fatigue suggests the toll that all this has taken. It’s a poignant end, showing that while art can be a release, sometimes one just wants to rest and not deal with everything.

Closing Thoughts

"This Is How It Went" captures the essence of turning heartbreak into art. It’s relatable and real, showing the ups and downs of processing emotions. The song shows that it’s okay to feel lost and that creativity can be a way to navigate through pain. Beabadoobee’s honesty and vulnerability make this track resonate with anyone who’s ever tried to make sense of a messy breakup.