The song "Checkmate" by Jesse McCartney tells the story of a relationship that has reached a breaking point. The lyrics portray the narrator, referred to as the "king," feeling frustrated and defeated by their partner's actions and choices. In the beginning, the narrator questions how their partner will feel when the "king has gotta lie down," implying that the relationship is coming to an end. The narrator believes that their partner had doubts about the relationship from the start, despite their initial hopes of being able to save it. The lyrics emphasize the presence of jealousy and an inability to understand it as a contributing factor to the relationship's downfall. The "king" feels the need to play the ultimate move in the game of chess, "calling checkmate," indicating that they have reached their breaking point and are ready to move on. The protagonist expresses their desire to save the relationship and continue playing the game, but they acknowledge that their partner's walls and fears prevent them from doing so. The partner's avoidance and refusal to face their own "demons" lead to heartache and pain for the narrator, who takes the consequences of their partner's choices. Despite their heartbreak, the narrator admits that they have run out of options and have to accept the reality that the relationship cannot be salvaged. They express willingness to start again in the future if circumstances change, but for now, they believe that their partner will always lose in their destructive choices. Overall, "Checkmate" describes a relationship where trust, understanding, and personal growth are lacking. The song captures the emotional turmoil of the narrator as they come to terms with the end of the relationship and the realization that they had no other choice but to call "checkmate" and move on.
