Can’t meet you for dinner at the Italian place
It’s where I met your family, some words were exchanged
I’d suggest the jazz bar on MaryAnn Street, but
You’d buy me a drink, and we know where that leads, so
I’ll meet you for coffee ’cause if we have wine
You’ll say that you want me, I know that’s a lie
If I didn’t love you, it would be fine
I’ll meet you for coffee, only for coffee
Nowhere else is safe, every place leads back to your place
You said let’s do the park, ’cause I love the park
That may be true, but God forbid it gets dark
Here come the excuses that fuel the illusions
But I’d rather feel something than nothing at all, so
I’ll meet you for coffee ’cause if we have wine
You’ll say that you’re sorry, I know that’s a lie
If I didn’t trust you, it would be fine
I’ll meet you for coffee, only for coffee
Nowhere else is safe, every place leads back to your-
We’ve done this before
And I don’t need it anymore
So let’s not do coffee, let’s not even try
It’s better we leave it and give it some time
If I didn’t love you, it would be fine
‘Cause If we do coffee, it’s never just coffee
It’s never just coffee
Unraveling the Complexities of “Coffee”
Chappell Roan’s “Coffee” navigates the delicate territory of post-relationship boundaries. The song paints a vivid picture of two people struggling to maintain distance while their feelings threaten to pull them back together. Roan cleverly uses specific settings—an Italian restaurant, a jazz bar, a park—to symbolize emotional triggers that could lead to rekindling old habits. The recurring motif of meeting for coffee serves as a metaphor for attempting to keep things platonic, while acknowledging how easily boundaries can blur. The lyrics capture a sense of vulnerability, longing, and the difficulty of moving on when love still lingers. Ultimately, the song evolves from cautious optimism to a realization that even coffee is too risky, highlighting the struggle to protect oneself from familiar heartache.
Song Credits
Artist: Chappell Roan
Release Year: 2024