I wish you gave me, a reason
That you were better, at leavin’
That you got your kicks from seeing me low
I always let the good ones go
Don’t want the kisses, unless they’re bitter
I’m hooked on touches, that leave me weaker
I swear that I love nothing more than broke
I always let the good ones go
And baby you couldn’t have loved me any better
But doin’ this is all that I’ve known ever
I want the bad ones, ’cause they’re all I know
I always let the good ones go
I always let the good ones go-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
I let the good ones go-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
I let the good ones
Let you down easy, I’m trying
‘Cause you’re everything I’ve spent my whole life fighting
So when I walk away, it’s not your fault
I always let the good ones, go
And baby you couldn’t have loved me any better
But doin’ this is all that I’ve known ever
I want the bad ones, ’cause they’re all I know
I always let the good ones go
I always let the good ones go-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
I let the good ones go-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
(Yeah, yeah)
I let the good ones go-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
(And baby you couldn’t have loved me any better, better, better)
I let the good ones go-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
(But doin’ this is all that I’ve known ever, ever, ever)
I let the good ones go
Letting Go of Love: Analyzing “Good Ones” by Charli XCX
Charli XCX’s “Good Ones” delves into the self-destructive patterns of romantic relationships. The lyrics reveal a narrator who repeatedly pushes away people who are good for her, gravitating instead toward unhealthy connections. Through lines like “I always let the good ones go,” Charli confesses an inability to accept healthy love, preferring the familiar chaos of heartbreak. The song’s emotional core lies in its blend of vulnerability and self-awareness, as she acknowledges her own role in relationships ending. The infectious melody contrasts with the raw honesty of the lyrics, creating a dance-pop anthem that resonates with anyone who’s struggled to break old habits in love.
Song Credits
- Songwriters: Charlotte Aitchison (Charli XCX), Oscar Holter, Caroline Ailin, Mattias Larsson
- Release Year: 2021
- Label: Atlantic Records