How I Get

The overall theme of the song revolves around the push and pull of desire and self-awareness. Laufey paints a picture of someone tangled in a relationship that feels both thrilling and dangerous. She’s aware of the red flags but can’t help herself, highlighting the conflict between love and reason. It’s a relatable look at how we sometimes chase after what we know isn’t right, driven by emotions that override logic.

Verse 1

Human nature is strange
I know you're bad for me
And I never feel rage
At least not so easily
Has addiction come for me?

In this verse, we see Laufey grappling with the oddities of human behavior. She recognizes that the person she’s involved with isn't good for her, yet she doesn’t feel the anger one might expect. Instead, she questions whether her feelings are like an addiction, suggesting a deeper emotional struggle. It sets a tone of internal conflict and curiosity about her own nature.

Chorus

I don't smoke cigarettes
Don't do things I'll regret
Don't mood swing, shoulder bets
But baby with you
That's just how I get

The chorus emphasizes the contrast between the singer’s typical behavior and her reactions to this relationship. She lists things she usually avoids, showing a sense of control in her life. But with this person, all that control slips away. The repeated line “that’s just how I get” highlights her resignation to her feelings, as if she’s accepted this chaotic side of herself that emerges when she’s with them.

Verse 2

I have every bit of you
Every awful corner
Biting more than I can chew
Just so I'll feel warmer
What a greedy, hungry horror am I?

Here, Laufey dives deeper into her obsession. She feels a sense of completeness with this person, yet acknowledges the darkness in that connection. The phrase “biting more than I can chew” suggests she’s overindulging in something that could hurt her. The self-reflection in calling herself a “greedy, hungry horror” shows she’s aware of how consuming this love can be, revealing vulnerability and a struggle with guilt.

Chorus

I don't smoke cigarettes
Don't do things I'll regret
Don't mood swing, shoulder bets
Don't cut strings to attach to
Just some far-sought silhouette
A journey that I'll one day dread
I'm caught up in a web
I'm blinded by you
That's just how I get (The pendulum swings back around)
That's just how I get (I need more tempo, crave more sound)

In this chorus, she repeats the earlier themes but takes it further by adding layers of complexity. The mention of “cut strings” and “far-sought silhouette” implies that she’s holding onto an idealized version of this person. The imagery of being “caught up in a web” reinforces the idea of entrapment in her feelings. The addition of the pendulum and craving for more sound suggests a cyclical nature to her emotions, highlighting the constant tug-of-war she faces.

Bridge

I don't smoke cigarettes
Don't do things I'll regret
Don't mood swing, shoulder bets
But baby with you
That's just how I get (The pendulum swings back around)
Oh, that's just how I get (I need more tempo, crave more sound)

The bridge mirrors the earlier chorus but reinforces her frustration and longing. The repetition serves to emphasize her dilemma, almost like a mantra. She's trapped in this cycle of wanting and regret, caught in a beat that she can't escape. The mention of “tempo” adds a musical quality to her emotional state, suggesting she’s trying to find rhythm in the chaos.

Outro

That's just how I get
(The pendulum swings back around)
That's just how I get
(I need more tempo, crave more sound)

The outro circles back to the main theme, leaving us with a sense of acceptance. It feels like she’s come to terms with her feelings, even if they’re messy and complicated. The repetition reinforces her reality, making it clear that this is her truth, this is how she navigates love and desire, no matter how tangled it gets.

Closing Thoughts

Laufey’s "How I Get" is a beautifully crafted exploration of love's complexities. It captures the struggle between desire and self-awareness in a way that feels genuine and relatable. The lyrics show how we sometimes find ourselves caught in relationships that challenge our better judgment, and that’s what makes it so powerful. The song resonates with anyone who’s been in a similar situation, reminding us that love can be both thrilling and terrifying.