“Never Liked Your Name” by Brooke Alexx is an insightful exploration of retrospective self-awareness, laced with elements of regret and revelation. The song appears to revolve around relationships, personal preferences, and the bitter aftertaste of heartbreak and mistakes. The central motif of the song is the character’s dislike for a name, which serves as an encompassing metaphor for a failed relationship or misplaced affections.
The early verses delve into the narrator’s personality traits, highlighting qualities such as discernment, emotional unpredictability, and a tendency towards overthinking. This introduces the listeners to the internal dilemma and emotional grounding of the protagonist. She gets ‘iffy’ and has tendencies towards being critical, which indirectly causes her to anticipate a relationship’s downfall.
Then, the narrative dives into a specific incident where the protagonist meets someone, emphasizing that from the very moment of introduction, feelings of discomfort arose. This introduction triggers an aversion, symbolized by their name. It establishes the premise for the chorus and indicates the protagonist’s dissatisfaction with the relationship that is to follow.
In the chorus, there is a sense of remorse for not recognizing earlier signs that the relationship was doomed. She regards the relationship as a ‘worst mistake,’ as well as a transient phase. The name that ‘didn’t roll right off my tongue,’ and ‘sounded strange’ subtly represent the mismatch, discomfort, and insurmountable differences in the relationship.
The second verse takes this sentiment further, exploring deep-seated fears surrounding long-term commitment and societal judgment. Drawing upon imagery associated with a wedding, the song articulates fears of shame and regret that would arise if the relationship transgressed into marriage.
Brief and repetitive, the bridge heightens the emotional intensity, underscoring the depth of the protagonist’s negative feelings linked to this relationship.
To sum up, “Never Liked Your Name” is a candid, emotionally charged narrative of recognizing, understanding, and coming to terms with mistakes in love and life. Through carefully chosen metaphors and honest language, the song resonates with listeners who might have experienced similar feelings of regret and disillusionment.