Dua Lipa - New Rules (Official Music Video)

Summary

The transcript captures the emotional turmoil and inner conflict experienced in a toxic relationship. The speaker expresses self-doubt and struggles with repeating the same mistakes, highlighting moments of self-awareness and personal growth. With a sense of empowerment, they acknowledge the need to break free from unhealthy patterns, yet still grapple with feelings of attachment. Themes of self-care, emotional resilience, and setting boundaries resonate throughout, while the rhythm and repetition of the lyrics emphasize the challenge of overcoming these cyclical emotions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is struggling with their emotions, as they experience inner turmoil and confusion, evident through phrases like 'talking in my sleep' and 'out of my mind'.
• 😀 Despite repeatedly writing things down to make sense of their feelings, the speaker is still struggling to find clarity or closure.
• 😀 There's a theme of longing and unreciprocated love, with the speaker feeling unloved and unimportant in the relationship.
• 😀 The speaker sets boundaries with their love interest, warning themselves not to pick up the phone, knowing the other person is only reaching out when they're 'drunk and alone'.
• 😀 There's a strong sense of self-preservation, as the speaker advises themselves to avoid letting their love interest in and to 'kick him out again'.
• 😀 The lyrics emphasize a sense of regret and self-awareness, acknowledging that waking up in the other person's bed leads to further emotional attachment, making it harder to 'get over him'.
• 😀 The phrase 'I got no rules, I count' signifies a rebellious or non-conventional approach to the situation, where the speaker doesn't strictly follow societal or personal rules.
• 😀 The speaker attempts to distance themselves emotionally and physically from the situation, recognizing that they are caught in a cycle of back-and-forth with their love interest.
• 😀 There is a recurring theme of self-reliance and resistance to the toxic pattern of this relationship, with the speaker repeatedly stating 'I got no rules'.
• 😀 The speaker practices detachment and self-control, as seen in the line 'practice makes perfect,' symbolizing their ongoing struggle to manage the emotional chaos.
• 😀 Overall, the song conveys the challenges of moving on from a toxic relationship, the internal conflict, and the emotional effort required to regain control and emotional stability.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the song 'New Rules' by Dua Lipa?

The main theme of 'New Rules' is about empowerment and self-care, focusing on a person setting boundaries and moving on from a toxic relationship. The lyrics describe a series of rules for avoiding falling back into a past, unhealthy romance.

Why does the protagonist refuse to pick up the phone?

The protagonist refuses to pick up the phone because they recognize that the person calling is drunk and alone, and they don't want to get caught back in a destructive relationship. It’s one of the 'rules' they set to protect themselves.

What is the significance of the line 'you know you're going to wake up in his bed in the morning'?

This line emphasizes the cyclical nature of the toxic relationship the protagonist is trying to break free from. Despite their efforts, the temptation of the past keeps pulling them back in, leading to regret and confusion the following day.

What does the protagonist mean by 'if you're under him, you ain't getting over him'?

This line reflects the idea that physical intimacy or emotional attachment can cloud the protagonist’s ability to move on from the relationship. Being 'under him' symbolizes being caught in the emotional or physical grip of the past lover.

How do the lyrics represent the internal struggle of the protagonist?

The lyrics depict an internal struggle where the protagonist is aware of their toxic relationship but finds it hard to resist the temptation to go back, despite knowing it's damaging. The repetition of rules highlights the constant battle to stay strong and not fall into old patterns.

What role do the 'rules' play in the song?

The 'rules' in the song serve as a self-imposed guide for the protagonist to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. These rules are a form of self-discipline to prevent getting involved with the ex-lover again, reinforcing the message of self-care and personal growth.

Why does the protagonist say 'I got no rules I count'?

The phrase 'I got no rules I count' suggests that the protagonist is beginning to break free from the constraints they initially set. They might be feeling disillusioned or finding it harder to follow the rules as the emotions from the past lover resurface.

How does the song portray the idea of self-respect?

The song promotes self-respect through the protagonist’s efforts to set boundaries and avoid falling back into a harmful relationship. The rules they create are meant to preserve their dignity and mental well-being, even if it means enduring emotional pain in the short term.

What does the line 'practice makes perfect, I'm still trying to learn it by heart' imply?

This line suggests that even though the protagonist knows what they need to do to move on, it’s not easy. It reflects the ongoing struggle of internalizing these 'rules' and learning to stick to them despite temptations.

What can be inferred about the protagonist's relationship with the person they’re trying to move on from?

The protagonist’s relationship with the person they’re trying to move on from is complicated and toxic. Despite knowing that the person doesn't love them, there is a sense of longing and confusion that makes it hard to fully break free. The song reveals the emotional attachment and struggle to let go.