englishPop, Dance, R&B
New Rules Lyrics
by Dua Lipa
Lyricist: Dua Lipa, Stephen Gordon, Kozzi Versetti
30 views • Published on Sep 27, 2026
New Rules Lyrics
One, one, one
Talkin' in my sleep at night
Makin' myself crazy
(Out of my mind, out of my mind)
Wrote it down and read it out
Hopin' it would save me
(Too many times, too many times)
My love, he makes me feel like nobody else
Nobody else
But my love, he doesn't love me
So I tell myself, I tell myself
One, don't pick up the phone
You know he's only calling 'cause he's drunk and alone
Two, don't let him in
You have to kick him out again
Three, don't be his friend
You know you're gonna wake up in his bed in the morning
And if you're under him
You ain't getting over him
I've got new rules, I count 'em
I've got new rules, I count 'em
I've gotta tell them to myself
I've got new rules, I count 'em
I've gotta tell them to myself
I keep pushin' forwards
But he keeps pullin' me backwards
(Nowhere to turn, no way)
(Nowhere to turn, no)
Now I'm standing back from it
I finally see the pattern
(I never learn, I never learn)
But my love, he doesn't love me
So I tell myself, I tell myself
I do, I do, I do
One, don't pick up the phone
You know he's only calling 'cause he's drunk and alone
Two, don't let him in
You have to kick him out again
Three, don't be his friend
You know you're gonna wake up in his bed in the morning
And if you're under him
You ain't getting over him
I've got new rules, I count 'em
I've got new rules, I count 'em
I've gotta tell them to myself
I've got new rules, I count 'em
I've gotta tell them to myself
Practice makes perfect
I'm still tryna' learn it by heart
Eat, sleep, and breathe it
Rehearse and repeat it 'cause I (I, I, I)
One, don't pick up the phone
You know he's only calling 'cause he's drunk and alone
Two, don't let him in
You have to kick him out again
Three, don't be his friend
You know you're gonna wake up in his bed in the morning
And if you're under him
You ain't getting over him
I got new rules, I count 'em
I got new rules, I count 'em
(Oh, whoa-oh)
I gotta tell them to myself
I got new rules, I count 'em
(Baby, you know I count 'em)
I gotta tell them to myself
Don't let him in, don't let him in
Don't, don't, don't, don't
Don't be his friend, don't be his friend
Don't, don't, don't, don't
Don't let him in, don't let him in
Don't, don't, don't, don't
Don't be his friend, don't be his friend
Don't, don't, don't, don't
You gettin' over him
Meaning of New Rules
“New Rules” by Dua Lipa is a fiercely empowering anthem of self-preservation wrapped in a deceptively catchy pop package. The song’s core revolves around the painful, cyclical experience of a toxic relationship and the deliberate construction of boundaries necessary for escape. Through a series of starkly delivered instructions – “One, don’t pick up the phone,” “Two, don’t let him in,” “Three, don’t be his friend” – Lipa lays bare the manipulative tactics employed by a partner who thrives on emotional instability and repeated breaches of trust. The lyrics aren't simply about avoiding contact; they represent a conscious effort to dismantle the patterns that keep her trapped, acknowledging the frustrating reality that she "never learns" yet stubbornly perseveres in establishing these protective measures.
The repetition of “I tell myself, I tell myself” underscores the internal struggle and the sheer force of will required to break free from this destructive dynamic. The almost robotic delivery of the rules highlights their importance – they’re not suggestions, but vital survival strategies. Lipa masterfully uses imagery like "pulling me backwards" juxtaposed with her forward momentum to illustrate the difficulty of moving on while simultaneously conveying a sense of determination. Ultimately, “New Rules” isn't just about escaping a bad relationship; it's about reclaiming agency and establishing a framework for self-respect, transforming heartbreak into a potent declaration of independence and an invitation to prioritize one’s own well-being.
Tags:
dua lipaheartbreakempowering anthempop musicnew rules
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