Released: 2016
“Somebody Else” by The 1975 is a heated confession of post-breakup feelings, where lead vocalist Matty Healy struggles with the harsh reality of an ex moving on, embedding a unique sense of longing, loss and a battle against moving on into the song’s beating core.
The song kicks off with “So I heard you found somebody else. And at first, I thought it was a lie”, painting a vivid picture of disbelief and shock; a classic aftermath of hearing about an ex’s new flame. When Healy sings, “I took all my things that make sounds. The rest I can do without”, he’s likely leaving behind anything reminding him of his ex but is also taking steps in acceptance, illustrating how he’s emotionally gutting his life to counteract the pain.
Dwelling on the chorus, “I don’t want your body, But I hate to think about you with somebody else”. It’s a stark, raw confession of jealousy and unresolved feelings. He may no longer desire their physical intimacy, but the thought of this person sharing their soul and body with another causes undeniable discomfort. When Healy sings about their love going cold and her soul intertwining with somebody else, he’s referring to their uncoupled relationship and her emotional attachment to a new partner.
In the line, “I’m looking through you, While you’re looking through your phone”, Healy’s resentment towards the digital age shines through. He feels disregarded as she disconnects from the present, perhaps inferring she’s more interested in her virtual connection with ‘somebody else’.
The repetition of “I don’t want your body” stresses his desperate resolve, but the constant reiteration suggests he’s convincing himself as much as he’s declaring it to his audience.
The lines “Get someone you love? Get someone you need? Fuck that, get money”, bring in a cynicism towards romantic relationships, as if material success, symbolized here by money, would be less emotionally taxing than the complexities of love. The line, “I can’t give you my soul, ‘Cause we’re never alone” demonstrates a fear of engulfment and an inability to yield completely to his ex due to external influences, perhaps societal or peer pressure, which meddle in their relationship.
To condense it down, “Somebody Else” is a deep-dive into the visceral trenches of navigating post-breakup feelings, filled with raw emotion, jealousy, and a defiant resolve to move on. It showcases the vulnerability and bitter truth of love’s aftermath, which is what makes it so poignantly relatable and powerful.
