The song "Rent Free" by Levi Hummon tells the story of a person who is struggling to move on from a past relationship. The lyrics describe a physical space, symbolizing the person's mind and heart, where the memories and presence of their ex-partner continue to linger. The opening lines describe the person's current living situation, where they are reminded of their ex through credit card bills and gossip magazines. Despite the financial strain, they cannot let go of the view that reminds them of their lost love. The chorus emphasizes the person's inability to escape their ex's presence. The ex is described as being "rent free" in their head, with their memory occupying their thoughts and emotions. The lyrics also mention their ex's lingering presence in the physical space, such as their white sheets on the bed and a stain on the couch that serves as a constant reminder of their past relationship. The person feels trapped, unable to fully move on even if they try to burn everything down. The ex's memory always finds a way to hang around. The second verse continues to describe how the person's ex continues to affect their life. The mention of perfume that won't leave and a neglected garden full of weeds highlights the lingering reminders of their past relationship. They are stuck with the pain, symbolized by the walls and long-stemmed glasses that they can't let go of. Although the person knows their ex is long gone, they still find themselves holding onto the memories and unable to find closure. The bridge suggests a plea for the ex to contribute to finding closure. The person acknowledges that their ex is no longer physically present but asks for mutual effort in moving on. The phrase "go halves on some closure" implies a shared responsibility to let go and find resolution. Overall, "Rent Free" illustrates the struggle of letting go and the lingering impact that a past relationship can have on an individual. The song captures the feeling of being trapped in memories and the difficulty of finding closure.
