"Cliff Notes" by Emarosa is a song about a deteriorating relationship and the fear of loss. The lyrics depict a sense of confusion and desperation as the narrator realizes that their partner is not being honest about their feelings. The song begins by rejecting the idea that the situation is a war or a display of courage. It emphasizes that this is not how a relationship should be. The narrator acknowledges that they are afraid of the things that are keeping their partner awake, possibly alluding to unresolved issues or underlying problems within the relationship. The lyrics express the narrator's disbelief that their partner is okay, implying that they are hiding their true emotions. The line, "The reason why I forget to close my eyes when you're next to me, I feel you're going to leave" suggests that the narrator is unable to fully trust their partner's commitment and suspects that they might eventually leave them. The song continues with the imagery of birthdays being difficult or even associated with thoughts of suicide. It signifies the heaviness and emotional burden that the relationship has caused. Waking up becomes a struggle, yet the narrator yearns to see their partner come down and be honest with them. The phrase "save yourself for me" can be interpreted as a plea for the partner to save their true self, emotions, and honesty for the narrator. The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance of honesty and communication in the relationship. The bridge of the song reflects the narrator's frustration with always hearing that everything is okay, despite their intuition telling them otherwise. The reference to walking away in chains suggests that the partner may be trapped in their own emotional struggles or unable to fully engage in the relationship. The song ends with a longing for things to go back to how they were before, expressing that although nothing has visibly changed, the emotional connection feels different. The final plea to save oneself suggests that the narrator wants their partner to confront their true feelings and be authentic in the relationship. Overall, "Cliff Notes" explores the fear of losing someone due to lack of honesty and vulnerability in a relationship. It conveys a sense of desperation and longing for a deeper connection.
