Rex Orange County’s song “Best Friend” is a poignant exploration of the complexities of love and friendship. Released in 2017, it captures the emotional turbulence that often accompanies unrequited feelings and the desire for connection.
The lyrics reflect a journey through loneliness, longing, and self-discovery, as the narrator grapples with his feelings for someone he deeply cares about but cannot fully be with romantically.
The song opens with a sense of regret and isolation, highlighting the contrast between being surrounded by loved ones and feeling alone. As it progresses, the narrator expresses a desire to be more than just a friend, yearning to be the one who brings joy to another’s life. However, there’s an underlying tension as he acknowledges the potential for heartbreak, suggesting that love can be both uplifting and painful.
Throughout “Best Friend,” Rex Orange County emphasizes the importance of authenticity in relationships, encouraging listeners to appreciate genuine connections over superficial attractions.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Best Friend” Lyrics Meaning
Intro
I should’ve stayed at home
‘Cause right now I see all these people that love me
But I still feel alone
Can’t help but check my phone
I could’ve made you mine
But no, it wasn’t meant to be and see I wasn’t made for you
And you weren’t made for me
Though it seemed so easy
In the intro, the narrator expresses regret about not staying home, feeling surrounded by people who love him yet still experiencing profound loneliness. This juxtaposition highlights the struggle of feeling disconnected even in the presence of affection. The lines about a past romantic possibility suggest a sense of fate or inevitability in relationships, acknowledging that despite initial feelings, some connections are not meant to last.
Chorus
And that’s because I wanna be your favorite boy
I wanna be the one that makes your day
The one you think about as you lie awake
I can’t wait to be your number one
I’ll be your biggest fan and you’ll be mine
But I still wanna break your heart and make you cry
The chorus reveals the narrator’s deep desire to be significant in someone else’s life. He wants to be the person who brings joy and comfort, indicating a yearning for intimacy and connection. However, there’s a contradictory admission of wanting to cause emotional pain (“I still wanna break your heart and make you cry”), which reflects an inner conflict—wanting closeness while also recognizing the potential for hurt.
Verse
But won’t you wait?
You know it’s too late
I’m on my own shit now
Let me tell you how it feels to be fucking great
I feel great
Woah, oh, oh, oh, oh
You need to be yourself
Love someone for loving you instead of someone really cool
That makes your heart melt
Who knows what you truly felt
You’re still my favorite girl
You better trust me when I tell you there ain’t no one else
More beautiful in this damn world
In this damn world
In the verse, the narrator urges the listener to embrace their true self and love authentically rather than being enamored with superficial qualities. He emphasizes personal growth (“I’m on my own shit now”) and self-empowerment, suggesting that feeling “great” comes from self-acceptance. The declaration that the girl is still his “favorite” underscores a lingering affection, while also asserting her unique beauty in his eyes.
Bridge
You’re gonna wanna be my best friend baby
You’re gonna wanna be my best friend
I said that
You’re gonna wanna be my best friend baby
You’re gonna wanna be my best friend
Best friend
You’re gonna wanna be my best friend baby
You’re gonna wanna be my best friend
Best friend
You’re gonna wanna be my best friend baby
You’re gonna wanna be my best friend
The bridge serves as a repetitive affirmation of friendship, emphasizing a desire for closeness beyond romantic love. It suggests that being best friends is a foundation for deeper connections, hinting at the importance of companionship and support in relationships.
Pre-Chorus
I say that I’m happy
I say that I’m happy
But no, no, no, no
No, no, no, oh
In this section, there’s a contradiction between outward expressions of happiness and internal feelings of discontent. The repetition of “I say that I’m happy” followed by denials indicates a struggle with authenticity—suggesting that despite appearances, he grapples with deeper emotional issues.
Chorus (Reprise)
I still wanna be your favorite boy
I wanna be the one that makes your day
The one you think about as you lie awake
And I can’t wait to be your number, your number one
I’ll be your biggest fan and you’ll be mine
But I still wanna break your heart and make you cry
The reprise of the chorus reinforces the narrator’s longing to be cherished while reiterating his conflicting impulses. The desire to be someone’s favorite brings back the tension between affection and potential heartbreak, encapsulating the complexity of relationships where love and pain often coexist.
Outro
I still wanna be your favorite boy
I wanna be the one
I might just be the one
The outro circles back to the initial longing expressed throughout the song. The narrator’s insistence on wanting to be “the one” reflects hopefulness and determination, leaving listeners with a sense of unresolved emotions—a mix of yearning for connection while acknowledging past mistakes.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Best Friend”
“Best Friend” by Rex Orange County is a poignant song that explores themes of unrequited love, loneliness, and the complexities of relationships.
The core of the song revolves around the singer’s feelings for someone who doesn’t reciprocate his romantic interest. The repeated line “You’re gonna wanna be my best friend, baby” suggests that the object of his affection sees him only as a friend, while he desires a deeper connection.
The opening lines, “I should have stayed at home / ‘Cause right now I see all these people that love me but I still feel alone,” express a profound sense of isolation, even when surrounded by people who care about him1. This feeling of disconnection is a central theme throughout the song.
The lyrics reveal an internal struggle between the singer’s feelings and his rational thoughts:
- He acknowledges his own shortcomings: “I could never say I’m no fool / But I’m better with you”
- He expresses fear and hesitation: “But my mind won’t stop / It’s just 14 blocks / I guess I’m scared to walk”
Despite the apparent rejection, the singer maintains hope that the person will eventually see his worth and want to be his “best friend”. This could be interpreted as a form of wishful thinking or a genuine belief that their connection will deepen over time.
The song blurs the lines between friendship and romantic love. The singer seems to be grappling with the idea of accepting a platonic relationship while still harboring romantic feelings.
There’s an element of self-awareness in the lyrics, as the singer recognizes the potential futility of his feelings: “Love someone for loving you instead of someone really cool that makes your heart melt”. This suggests a struggle between emotional desires and practical considerations in relationships.
In essence, “Best Friend” captures the complex emotions of loving someone who may not feel the same way, while also exploring the value of friendship and the pain of unrequited love. It resonates with many listeners due to its raw honesty and relatable themes of longing and emotional vulnerability.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.