Olivia Dean – It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be: Meaning, Lyric, Quotes [from “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy” soundtrack]
Olivia Dean – It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be : Finding Hope in the Maybe
Let’s Chat About Olivia Dean’s Tune: “It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be”
Okay, pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about this absolute gem of a song by Olivia Dean, “It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be.” You know those songs that just feel like a warm hug on a slightly uncertain day? This is totally one of them. It’s got this gentle, breezy vibe, but underneath, there’s so much lovely, relatable stuff going on. It’s like she’s whispering right into your ear, “Hey, it’s okay. We’re figuring this out.”
The song instantly pulls you in with those soft “La-la-la”s, setting a mood that’s thoughtful but not heavy. It feels like someone humming to themselves while walking, maybe thinking things over. And that’s exactly what the lyrics dive into – this journey of stepping into something new, maybe a relationship, maybe just a new phase of life, with all the wobbles and hopes that come with it.
Taking Those First Wobbly Steps
Right off the bat, Olivia sings, “There’s a lot of ground to cover / One foot and then the other / On my way, my way to somewhere new.” Doesn’t that just capture the feeling perfectly? Starting something new can feel HUGE, like this massive landscape stretching out ahead. You don’t leap, you just… put one foot forward, then the next. It’s about the process, not some grand, instant arrival. It feels very real, very human.
Acknowledging the Cautious Heart
And she’s so honest about the bumps in the road! “A few false starts, can you forgive this / Cautious heart and just bear with it / While it does what I thought it couldn’t do.” Ah, the cautious heart. We’ve all been there, right? Holding back a bit, maybe messing up slightly, needing a little patience from someone (or even from ourselves!). It’s this vulnerable admission that she’s trying, even if her heart is hesitant, maybe scarred from past experiences. There’s a quiet strength in admitting that caution, and hoping the other person understands.
Grappling with Ghosts of the Past
Then comes this recurring thought: “I could go back to the old place (Mm) / And write your name on every blank page (Mm).” This bit feels like the temptation to dwell on what was. Maybe thinking about an ex, or an old way of life. It’s like part of her could just stay stuck, obsessing over a past chapter. But then comes the pivot: “But it’s a story now, just a story now / That’s the kind of thing that you’d say.”
This is where it gets interesting. It seems like someone else – maybe the person she’s starting this new journey with – is gently reminding her to keep looking forward. They’re the ones saying, “Hey, that’s history. It’s just a story.” It highlights the power of having someone supportive by your side, someone who anchors you in the present and encourages you to leave the past where it belongs.
That supportive voice continues: “You say no need to look behind me (Mm) / That I can keep you here beside me (Mm).” It’s such a comforting image – someone reassuring you that the past doesn’t have to define the future, and that they’re right there with you for whatever comes next.
The Beautiful Mess of Trying
And here we get to the absolute core, the heart of the song: “To make a mess of it, then make the best of it / It isn’t perfect, but it might be.” Honestly, can we just tattoo this somewhere? Life isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s often about stumbling, making mistakes, getting things tangled up – and then figuring out how to sort through it, find the good bits, and keep going. It’s messy, yeah, but that mess holds potential. It’s not guaranteed to be amazing, but the possibility is there. That “might be” is full of gentle, hopeful energy.
This isn’t about toxic positivity, pretending everything’s rosy. It’s about acceptance. Accepting that things will be flawed, that you might be flawed in the process, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile or couldn’t turn into something wonderful. It’s permission to be imperfect.
From Dipping Toes to Swimming Channels
I love the imagery she uses later: “You dip your toe and then you paddle / All before you swim the channel.” It mirrors the “one foot and then the other” idea. Progress isn’t always a giant leap. Sometimes it’s testing the waters, getting a feel for things, gradually building confidence before fully committing or diving deep. She thought she’d never manage the ‘swim,’ the big scary commitment, but now? “Thought I’d never make it, but I might.” That little flicker of “I might” shows growth. The caution is still there, but belief is starting to bloom.
The Takeaway Feeling: Gentle Optimism
By the end, with the repetition of “Treading lightly, thinking slightly / It just might be, it just might be,” you feel this sense of cautious optimism solidifying. She’s not shouting from the rooftops, but there’s a quiet conviction growing. It’s a journey from hesitation and looking back, towards embracing the present messiness with a supportive partner and a hopeful outlook.
The moral message here feels beautifully simple yet profound: Embrace the imperfections. Allow yourself (and others) grace for false starts. Let go of the past, chapter by chapter. Find joy and potential in the “might be,” even when things aren’t perfect. It’s okay to tread lightly, as long as you keep moving forward, open to the possibility of something good unfolding.
Now, speaking of powerful lines that stick with you, this song is full of little nuggets of wisdom that feel instantly relatable and quite inspiring when you pull them out. Let’s zoom in on a few of those…
Finding Daily Boosts: Inspirational Quotes from Olivia Dean’s “It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be”
Sometimes a single line from a song can just click and become a little mantra, right? Olivia Dean’s lyrics here are packed with those moments. They’re not grand, sweeping statements, but quiet truths that resonate. Let’s pull out a few that feel particularly uplifting or insightful.
Starting the Adventure, Step by Step
This is such a great reminder for when you’re feeling overwhelmed by a new beginning. Whether it’s a job, a relationship, a personal goal… it’s okay that it looks big. The key is just to start. One simple step. Then another. It breaks down the daunting task into manageable actions and focuses on progress, not immediate arrival. It’s about the journey itself.
Permission to Be Imperfectly Human
Oh, this one hits deep. It’s a plea for understanding, but also a beautiful expression of self-awareness and vulnerability. It reminds us that it’s okay not to get things right immediately. We can be cautious, we can stumble. This quote encourages self-compassion and asks for patience, both from others and maybe from ourselves too. It’s okay to be a work in progress.
Closing Past Chapters
This is powerful for anyone struggling to let go of the past. Reframing past hurts or experiences as “just a story” doesn’t dismiss them, but it puts them in their place – as a completed narrative, not something that needs to dictate the present or future. It’s about acknowledging history without letting it chain you down. A simple phrase for achieving closure.
The Strength Found in Support
What a beautiful picture of supportive companionship! This highlights how encouraging words and presence from someone else can help us stay focused on moving forward. It’s a reminder of the positive impact we can have on each other, and the comfort of knowing someone believes in your forward journey and wants to be part of it. It speaks volumes about healthy connection.
The Anthem of Hopeful Realism
This is the big one, the song’s soul, really. It’s an anthem for anyone who feels pressured by perfection. It champions trying, failing, learning, and finding the good amidst the chaos. The beauty lies in the potential (“it might be”), not in a flawless outcome. It encourages resilience, adaptability, and finding joy in the imperfect process of life.
Whispers of Growing Belief
This captures that delicate feeling when hope starts to dawn, but you’re still a bit hesitant. It’s not loud confidence, but a gentle, internal shift towards believing something good could happen. “Treading lightly” suggests continued caution, but the repeated “it just might be” shows that optimism is winning. It’s the quiet power of nascent hope.
So there you have it – a little wander through the lovely, messy, hopeful world of “It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be.” It’s such a comforting track, isn’t it? It feels like a genuine conversation about navigating life’s uncertainties with a bit of grace and a supportive hand to hold.
What do you think when you listen to this song? Do any particular lines jump out at you? Maybe you interpret some parts differently? I’d love to hear your take on it – sometimes the best chats about music happen when we share our own perspectives!
