What does 1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back mean?

Olivia Rodrigo: 1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back Meaning

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Album cover for 1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back album cover

Song Released: 2021


1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back Lyrics

Called you on the phone today
Just to ask you how you were
All I did was speak normally
Somehow I still struck a nerve
You got me fucked up in the head, boy
Never doubted myself so much
Like, am I pretty? Am I fun, boy?
I hate that I give...

  1. Twilight
    click a star to vote
    Jul 27th 2023 !⃝

    Twilight's interpretation of "1 step forward, 3 steps back" by Olivia Rodrigo.


    1 step forward, 3 steps back implies that the relationship this person is in is not productive.

    Instead of progressing, they keep making mishaps that eventually confuses the person of what the other's intentions are.

    The other is sending mixed signals which befuddles the person singing. "Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand", she doesn't understand what the person is feeling. Which can be implied that their communication is trash. This keeps happening. It's a tug-of-war between leaving and staying.

    The person in this song is facing an internal crisis of whether or not she should stay in this situation. What makes it difficult is that, it's all that she's ever known. It highlights the fact that change is difficult to overcome and people tend to be drawn to familiarity.

    This song speaks of confusion, a dilemma, and most of all a relationship that's built on toxic communication and uncertainty.

  2. anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Sep 27th 2022 !⃝

    This song is about a one sided relationship and as soon as she feels like she’s getting somewhere it sets in that he’s not the right one but she’s scared to end it and the cycle continues again and again and again and again she thinks it may be her fault but then she realizes it’s not


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