I would have walked through fire to kiss your lips
Do you still think about it, of what you did?
Still see your old apartment, like a bad trip
Wish I could forget all the places we’ve been
Hard and heavy whiskey goodbyes
Boy, you know how to make a girl cry
Was sleeping in a bed full of lies
And now that I’m older, I can see why
You make me feel high
‘Cause you had me so low, low, low
You only seemed tall
‘Cause you stunted my growth, growth, growth
I only wanted you ’cause I couldn’t have you
Now that I know
That wasn’t love, that wasn’t love, that was just hope
That wasn’t love, that wasn’t love, that was just hope
Always another bender, I lose control
I thought I’d get it back when
You came back home to me, darling
But I never had it, did I? Your heart’s a trick
And all the magic we felt was just a hit
Hard and heavy whiskey goodbyes
Boy, you know how to make a girl cry
Was sleeping in a bed full of lies
And now that I’m older, I can see why
You make me feel high
‘Cause you had me so low, low, low
You only seemed tall
‘Cause you stunted my growth, growth, growth
I only wanted you ’cause I couldn’t have you
Now that I know (Now that I know)
That wasn’t love, that wasn’t love, that was just hope
‘Cause you had me so low
Now that I know
That wasn’t love, that wasn’t love, that was just hope
‘Cause you had me so low, low, low
You only seemed tall
‘Cause you stunted my growth, growth, growth
I only wanted you ’cause I couldn’t have you
Now that I know (Now that I know)
That wasn’t love, that wasn’t love, that was just hope
Unveiling the Heartache Behind “Hope”
“Hope” by The Chainsmokers dives into the emotional aftermath of a relationship built on illusions rather than reality. The lyrics paint vivid pictures of longing, regret, and realization, as the protagonist reflects on a love that was never truly reciprocated. Lines like “You make me feel high ’cause you had me so low” reveal the emotional highs and lows experienced, underscoring how hope—rather than genuine connection—kept the relationship alive. The recurring theme of self-awareness, seen in admissions of sleeping in a “bed full of lies,” speaks to the painful clarity that comes with maturity. Ultimately, the song is a cathartic acknowledgment that what once felt like love was only hope, serving as a relatable anthem for anyone who has mistaken longing for true affection.
Song Credits
- Artist: The Chainsmokers
- Songwriters: Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren, Kate Morgan
- Release Year: 2018
- Label: Disruptor Records, Columbia Records