englishPop, Ballad

Never Really Over Lyrics

by Katy Perry

Lyricist: Katy Perry, Max Martin, Jake Schulze

18 views • Published on Sep 24, 2026

Never Really Over Lyrics

I'm losing my self control Yeah, you’re starting to trickle back in But I don't wanna fall down the rabbit hole Cross my heart, I won't do it again I tell myself, tell myself, tell myself, "Draw the line" And I do, I do But once in a while, I trip up, and I cross the line And I think of you Two years, and just like that My head still takes me back Thought it was done, but I Guess it’s never really over Oh, we were such a mess But wasn't it the best? Thought it was done, but I Guess it's never really over Just because it's over doesn't mean it's really over And if I think it over, maybe you'll be coming over again And I'll have to get over you all over again Just because it’s over doesn’t mean it's really over And if I think it over, maybe you’ll be coming over again And I'll have to get over you all over again I guess I could try hypnotherapy I gotta rewire this brain 'Cause I can't even go on the internet Without even checking your name I tell myself, tell myself, tell myself, "Draw the line" And I do, I do But once in a while, I trip up, and I cross the line I think of you Two years, and just like that My head still takes me back Thought it was done, but I Guess it’s never really over Oh, we were such a mess But wasn't it the best? Thought it was done, but I Guess it's never really over Just because it's over doesn't mean it's really over And if I think it over, maybe you'll be coming over again And I'll have to get over you all over again Just because it's over doesn't mean it's really over And if I think it over, maybe you'll be coming over again And I'll have to get over you all over again Thought we kissed goodbye Thought we meant this time was the last But I guess it's never really over Thought we drew the line right through you and I Can't keep going back I guess it's never really over, yeah Two years, and just like that My head still takes me back Thought it was done, but I Guess it's never really over Just because it's over doesn't mean it's really over And if I think it over, maybe you'll be coming over again And I'll have to get over you all over again (And I'll have to get over you all over again) Just because it's over doesn't mean it's really over And if I think it over, maybe you'll be coming over again And I'll have to get over you all over again (Over you all over again) Thought we kissed goodbye Thought we meant this time was the last But I guess it's never really over Thought we drew the line right through you and I Can't keep going back I guess it's never really over

Meaning of Never Really Over

“Never Really Over” is a poignant exploration of lingering attraction and the frustrating inability to fully detach from a past relationship, delivered with Katy Perry’s signature blend of pop vulnerability. The core theme revolves around the persistent pull of memories and the subconscious resistance to truly moving on after a significant breakup – two years in this case. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman struggling against her own impulses; she attempts to establish boundaries ("Draw the line") yet repeatedly finds herself drawn back to thoughts of an ex, evidenced by the obsessive behavior like compulsively checking his name online and considering hypnotherapy to “rewire” her brain. The repeated assertion that "it’s never really over" isn't a declaration of continued love, but rather a recognition of the deeply ingrained emotional connection that stubbornly refuses to fade. Perry doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the messy nature of the relationship (“Oh, we were such a mess”) and even hints at a bittersweet nostalgia ("But wasn't it the best?"), suggesting a complicated fondness alongside the pain. The song’s effectiveness lies in its relatable depiction of this common human experience – that sometimes, despite conscious efforts to move forward, our minds stubbornly replay moments and desires, creating a cycle of regret and longing. Perry uses repetition not as a musical gimmick, but to emphasize the almost automatic nature of these thoughts. The lines “Just because it’s over doesn't mean it’s really over” and the subsequent verses about being forced to "get over you all over again" underscore this struggle. Ultimately, “Never Really Over” is a quietly powerful ballad that captures the frustrating beauty of unresolved feelings and the difficulty of completely severing ties with someone who remains a significant part of your past.

Tags:

katy perryheartbreaknostalgicpopnever really over

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