Something has felt off for a while now, and it’s not just the slow spiral of our society into complete demise or whatevah. No, there’s been a weird itch that I just haven’t been able to scratch, lingering since about June 26, 2020, and I’ve finally been able to put my finger on it. There has been an unholy lack of new HAIM music since Women In Music Pt. III, and it has been failing my serotonin levels as an elder millennial for far too long. Like, I’m “never am I talking about these lovely ladies right here“–levels of down bad for HAIM.

Why, you may ask? The way these three sisters from Calabasas have managed to tell the universal story of navigating girlhood and relationships through wins and disappointments over a springy 107 BPM and through an infectiously delicate melody is truly original in a world with no more original experiences.

Needless to say, new HAIM music, and about “fucking relationships,” no less, has me ready for spring, and just in time for daylight savings time to give me back my will to live! As one commentator beautifully wrote, “NEED THIS LIKE WE NEED AIR.” Since the ladies’ new single is already making waves, it’s time to grab your paddle and meet me in the water. Here’s a lyrical breakdown of HAIM’s new song, “Relationships.”

HAIM’s New Song: “Relationships”

What Is HAIM’s “Relationships” Album Art Referencing?

Yeah, you already knew this shit was about to be iconic when photographer Terry O’Connor shot the Haim sisters reenacting this iconic Nicole Kidman reference, which, TBH, belongs on the pop culture Mount Rushmore. In case you’re not familiar, after Nicole Kidman signed her divorce papers, she walked out of her lawyer’s office into the sunlight like a whole new woman wearing the most Y2K pink top ever. At least, that’s how the world remembers it. Nicole recently debunked that Mandela effect memory, clarifying it’s not a real moment from her life but a picture taken of her on set while filming a movie.

An iconic moment, nonetheless, but why pick this reference? The Nicole meme represents a woman finding freedom after a long time in the dark, especially of some man’s bullshit. This is a big ol’ hint that HAIM’s new hot single is going to be about yearning to be single again during an energy-sucking relationship.

HAIM “Relationships” Lyrics

So far, only a clip has been released, but from only a few seconds, I’m already vibing:

I hear a voice in my head / and it keeps asking why / am I in this relationship?

Baby, how can I explain / when an innocent mistake / turns into 17 days

fuckin’ relationships

HAIM “Relationships” Meaning

Haim sisters

The song is about finding yourself in the thick of a relationship that isn’t serving you, and it all happened so fast that you don’t even know how you got locked in. The “voice in my head” line is about the doubt that comes after the honeymoon phase of a new fling is over (hence “17 days”).