When I met you it was tragic
Chemistry something like magic
You were with somebody else in turn
And I was with somebody else as well
Met up late night by the Bowery
And in the morning we got coffee
Acting like strangers and told no friends
It wasn’t easy to pretend
And we know that it’s wrong, but it feels real fun
Sneaking around, falling deep in love
But sometimes I get scared
‘Cause I know it’s unfair
I’m hurting someone else instead
I’m breaking every rule for you
You’re breaking every rule for me
I’m breaking every rule for you
But I’ve got to say
I want it this way
These moments really set me free
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Straight away we started falling
Conversation never boring
When your lips brushed up against my skin
All I wanted was to let you in
I wonder if people would notice
Said you find it so hard to focus
Cigarettes up on the balcony
Wrapped up in nothing but sheets
And we know that it’s wrong
But it feels real fun
Sneaking around, falling deep in love
But sometimes I get scared
‘Cause I know it’s not fair
I’m hurting someone else instead
I’m breaking every rule for you
You’re breaking every rule for me
I’m breaking every rule for you
But I’ve got to say
I want it this way
These moments really set me free
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Unraveling Forbidden Romance
Charli XCX’s “Every Rule” delves into the emotional complexity of a secret love affair. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two people drawn to each other despite being involved with others, capturing the thrill and turmoil of sneaking around. The song’s narrative unfolds in late-night meetings, whispered confessions, and stolen moments that feel liberating yet are shadowed by guilt. The repeated admission of “breaking every rule” highlights the emotional stakes, emphasizing both the intoxicating freedom and the moral conflict at the heart of the relationship.
The Push and Pull of Desire
Charli’s storytelling shines through raw vulnerability, depicting the tension between personal happiness and the pain caused to others. The recurring motif of wanting things “this way” is both a celebration of passion and an acknowledgment of its consequences. The song’s atmospheric production and confessional tone make the listener feel the adrenaline and anxiety that come with a love that defies boundaries.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Charlotte Aitchison (Charli XCX), James Napier (Jimmy Napes), Alexander Guy Cook (A. G. Cook)
Release Year: 2022
Label: Atlantic Records