Habits (Stay High)

The song dives deep into the struggles of coping with a breakup. Tove Lo paints a vivid picture of a lifestyle filled with partying, eating junk food, and seeking temporary highs. It feels real and raw, showing how someone can try to escape their feelings but ends up feeling more lost. The contrast between the upbeat sound and the dark lyrics makes it even more powerful.

Verse 1

I eat my dinner in my bathtub
Then I go to sex clubs
Watching freaky people getting it on
It doesn't make me nervous
If anything, I'm restless
Yeah, I've been around, and I've seen it all

Here, Tove Lo sets the scene for her chaotic life. Eating dinner in a bathtub and going to sex clubs shows her unconventional choices. It feels like she’s trying to find excitement but is still restless inside. She’s seen a lot, but that’s not enough to fill the emptiness she feels from the breakup.

Chorus

You're gone, and I gotta stay high all the time
To keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
High all the time to keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

The chorus captures her main coping mechanism: getting high to forget someone. It’s catchy, but it also reveals her desperation. Staying high becomes her way of blocking out the pain of missing her ex. The repetition of “high all the time” emphasizes how trapped she feels in this cycle.

Verse 2

I get home, I got the munchies
Binge on all my Twinkies
Throw up in the 'tub, then I go to sleep
And I drank up all my money
Dazed and kinda lonely

In this verse, Tove Lo shows the aftermath of her escapism. The binge-eating and throwing up suggest a kind of self-destructive behavior that comes with her loneliness. She’s spending all her money, which symbolizes how far gone she is. It’s a clear sign that her high lifestyle isn’t just fun; it’s taking a toll on her.

Chorus

You're gone, and I gotta stay high all the time
To keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
High all the time to keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Repeating the chorus reinforces her struggle. It’s like a mantra that shows how much she needs to escape reality. Each time she sings it, it hits harder, showing how persistent her pain is.

Verse 3

Pick up daddies at the playground
How I spend my daytime
Loosen up the frown, make them feel alive
I make it fast and greasy
I'm numb, and way too easy

Here, Tove Lo talks about seeking out connections in a shallow way. Picking up “daddies” at the playground feels desperate and highlights her need for attention. The mention of making them feel alive shows she’s trying to distract herself while also showing her own numbness. It’s a sad reflection on how she’s using others to mask her pain.

Chorus

You're gone, and I gotta stay high all the time
To keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
High all the time to keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

The chorus comes back again, driving home the point of her struggle. It’s repetitive but fitting, as it mirrors how stuck she is in her routine of trying to forget.

Bridge

Staying in my play pretend
Where the fun ain't got no end, oh
Can't go home alone again
Need someone to numb the pain, oh

In the bridge, Tove Lo expresses a desire to escape into a fantasy where everything is fun. The line about needing someone to numb the pain reveals her fear of being alone. It highlights her vulnerability and shows how deep her hurt goes.

Outro

You're gone, and I gotta stay high all the time
To keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
High all the time to keep you off my mind
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

The outro repeats the chorus, bringing the song full circle. It feels like she’s still caught in the cycle of trying to forget. There’s a sense of unresolved pain, leaving listeners with a feeling of sadness.

Closing Thoughts

"Habits (Stay High)" is a powerful song that combines catchy beats with heavy themes. Tove Lo shares a raw look at how she’s handling heartbreak through unhealthy choices. The song's blend of fun and pain makes it relatable for anyone who's ever tried to escape their feelings.