Song Title: two years
Artist: ROSÉ
Release Date: December 6, 2024
Album: rosie (vampirehollie edition)
Genre: Pop
Songwriters: ROSÉ, Aldae, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Michael Pollack & Isaiah Tejada
“two years” by ROSÉ is a poignant ballad that delves into the enduring pain of a love that lingers long after a relationship has ended. The song explores the complex emotions of heartbreak, the struggle to move on, and the haunting presence of a past love that refuses to fade. With its raw, emotive lyrics and melancholic melody, “two years” offers a deeply personal glimpse into the aftermath of a significant loss.
The song’s theme centers around the protagonist’s inability to let go of a love that has been gone for two years. This persistent attachment is portrayed through vivid, heart-wrenching imagery that captures the emotional turmoil of heartbreak. The use of the phrase “two years” serves as a temporal anchor, highlighting the passage of time and the enduring nature of the protagonist’s feelings.
The opening lines, “How’d it all fall apart? / You were right here before, in my arms / Now you’re invisible / But the heartbreak’s physical,” set a tone of bewilderment and loss. The contrast between the tangible presence of heartbreak and the intangible absence of the loved one creates a powerful emotional dissonance. The phrase “heartbreak’s physical” adds a visceral quality to the pain, making it feel more immediate and real.
The pre-chorus, “All that I know / Is I can’t let you go,” is a stark admission of the protagonist’s inability to move on. The simplicity of these lines underscores the raw, unfiltered emotion at the core of the song. The repetition of “I can’t let you go” reinforces the sense of being trapped in the past, unable to break free from the memories and feelings that bind the protagonist to their lost love.
The chorus, “It’s been two years and you’re still not gone / Doesn’t make sense that I can’t move on / Yeah, I try, I try, I try, I try / But this love never dies,” is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the enduring nature of love. The repetition of “two years” and “I try” creates a sense of futility, as the protagonist’s efforts to move on are continually thwarted by the persistence of their feelings. The line “this love never dies” is a powerful affirmation of the enduring nature of love, even in the face of heartbreak and loss.
In the second verse, the lines “Another night, another vice / Even try with someone new, someone nice / I’ll always hate the fact that you / Ruined everybody after you” reveal the protagonist’s attempts to cope with their pain through various means, including seeking solace in new relationships. The use of the word “vice” suggests a self-destructive pattern of behavior, while the mention of trying with someone new highlights the protagonist’s struggle to find a meaningful connection outside of their lost love. The line “Ruined everybody after you” is a poignant acknowledgment of the lasting impact of the relationship, suggesting that the protagonist’s ability to form new connections has been irrevocably altered.
The bridge, “Maybe I’m just sick / And this is how it’s gonna be / Maybe this is all I know / And I know it’s not you, it’s me,” offers a moment of introspection and self-awareness. The protagonist acknowledges the possibility that their inability to move on may be a result of their own emotional state, rather than any fault of their lost love. This realization adds a layer of complexity to the song, suggesting that the protagonist is beginning to take responsibility for their own healing and growth.
The most impactful lines of the song are found in the chorus: “It’s been two years and you’re still not gone / Doesn’t make sense that I can’t move on.” These lines encapsulate the essence of the song, conveying the protagonist’s struggle to reconcile the passage of time with the enduring nature of their feelings. The repetition of “two years” and “I can’t move on” creates a sense of stasis, as the protagonist remains trapped in a cycle of heartbreak and longing.
Comparing “two years” to real-life scenarios, it’s easy to see the parallels with the enduring pain of heartbreak that many people experience. The song’s themes of loss, longing, and the struggle to move on resonate with anyone who has ever found themselves unable to let go of a past love. In the context of ROSÉ’s personal life, the song could be seen as a reflection of her own journey, a testament to her strength and resilience in the face of heartache.
Overall, “two years” is a deeply emotional and introspective exploration of the enduring pain of heartbreak. It’s a testament to ROSÉ’s ability to capture the raw, unfiltered emotions that define such experiences, offering a poignant and relatable portrayal of the struggle to move on from a lost love.