Olivia Dean – It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be [OST “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy”]. Lyrics & Meaning
Olivia Dean – It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be: Finding Beauty in the Messy Middle
Ever find yourself standing on the brink of something new, maybe a new relationship or a big life change, but you can feel the ghost of your past tugging at your sleeve? It’s that hesitant feeling, that little voice whispering, “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” You want to move forward, but your heart is still carrying a few old scars. It’s a feeling so many of us know all too well.
Well, what if I told you there’s a song that feels like a warm hug for that exact moment? A perfect little anthem for anyone learning to love again, not in spite of their baggage, but with it. Olivia Dean has bottled up that delicate, fragile feeling of a new beginning and turned it into a beautiful, honest piece of music. Let’s dive into what makes this track so special, because it’s more than just a song; it’s a conversation about taking that scary, wonderful first step.
Let’s Unpack the Hopeful Honesty in Olivia Dean’s ‘It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be’
Right from the get-go, Olivia doesn’t pretend that moving on is some grand, cinematic leap. Instead, she paints a picture that is so much more real. It’s a slow, careful process, full of self-doubt and tiny victories.
One Foot, Then the Other: The Hesitant Start
- Olivia Dean – Nice To Each Other : A Sweet Plea for Keeping Things Simple
- Olivia Dean – Dive : Taking the Plunge into Love’s Deep End
- Olivia Dean – It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be [OST “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy”] : Finding Beauty in the Messy Middle
- Olivia Dean – Man I Need : The Ultimate Guide to Asking for What You Want
- Olivia Dean – Lady Lady : Embracing the Beautiful Mess of Becoming
- Olivia Dean – The Hardest Part : The Quiet Acceptance of Outgrowing Someone
- Olivia Dean – Ok Love You Bye : The Messy, Honest Language of Love
She opens with a description of this journey, and it’s just so relatable. It’s not a sprint; it’s a cautious walk towards an unknown future.
There’s a lot of ground to cover
One foot and then the other
On my way, my way to somewhere new
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
That line about the “cautious heart” just hits differently, doesn’t it? She’s asking for patience, not just from her new partner, but from herself. She’s acknowledging that her heart is learning to trust again, and it’s a big deal. It’s this raw honesty that makes you lean in and listen closer.
The Ghost of the ‘Old Place’
The chorus is where the central struggle and the song’s beautiful resolution live. She talks about the temptation to retreat into the familiar past, what she calls the “old place.”
I could go back to the old place (Mm)
And write your name on every blank page (Mm)
But it’s a story now, just a story now
This “old place” isn’t just a physical location; it’s a state of mind. It’s the comfort of a past love, even a painful one. The idea of writing someone’s name on “every blank page” is such a powerful image for being unable to imagine a future without them. But then, there’s a shift. It’s just a story now. It’s in the past. And this realization seems to be prompted by her new partner, who offers a completely different perspective.
Instead of demanding she forget her past, this new person offers support and understanding. They give her the space to be imperfect.
You say no need to look behind me (Mm)
That I can keep you here beside me (Mm)
To make a mess of it, then make the best of it
It isn’t perfect, but it might be
Seriously, how lovely is that? “To make a mess of it, then make the best of it.” That’s the core of the song. It’s the permission to not have it all figured out. This new love isn’t about erasing the past, but about building something new alongside it, messes and all.
From Dipping a Toe to Swimming the Channel
The song continues this theme of gradual progress with another beautiful metaphor. It’s all about taking baby steps and celebrating them.
You dip your toe and then you paddle
All before you swim the channel
Thought I’d never make it, but I might
This captures the journey perfectly. You don’t just dive into the deep end of a new relationship after being hurt. You test the waters. You get comfortable. And slowly, you realize you’re capable of more than you thought. That quiet little “but I might” is full of so much tentative hope.
The Mantra of ‘It Just Might Be’
The bridge feels like a quiet, internal chant. It’s her whispering this new possibility to herself, trying it on for size. It’s not a loud declaration of love, but a gentle, growing belief that this could actually be something real.
Treading lightly, thinking slightly
It just might be, it just might be
This repetition feels like a mantra for anyone who’s scared but hopeful. It’s the sound of a heart slowly, carefully opening up again.
The ultimate message here is so wonderfully kind and realistic. True healing and new love aren’t about achieving perfection. They’re about finding someone who sees your “false starts” and your “cautious heart” and says, “That’s okay. Let’s make a beautiful mess together.” The song champions the idea that the potential for something wonderful is more important than a flawless beginning. It’s a celebration of the messy, uncertain, and ultimately hopeful process of starting over.
In the end, “It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be” is a gentle reminder to be kind to ourselves on our journey. It’s okay to tread lightly. It’s okay to still be figuring things out. The most beautiful things in life are rarely perfect, but they hold the incredible promise of what they might be. What do you think? Does this song resonate with a specific moment in your life? I’d love to hear how you interpret its story.
