sombr – i wish i knew how to quit you. Lyrics & Meaning

sombr – i wish i knew how to quit you : An Ode to a Love You Can’t Escape

Ever had that one person who just… sticks? They live in your head, rent-free, long after they should have moved out. You know, logically, that it’s not going anywhere, that maybe it’s not even good for you. But your heart just refuses to get the memo. It’s a frustrating, all-consuming feeling that can make you feel a little crazy and completely alone.

Well, if you’ve ever been in that exact spot, sombr managed to bottle that precise lightning of messy, complicated emotion in his track “i wish i knew how to quit you”. This isn’t just another sad love song. Oh no, it’s a raw, honest-to-goodness confession of being hopelessly, helplessly attached to someone you can’t have. So, let’s dive in and really unpack the beautiful agony of it all.

Decoding the Addictive Heartbreak in sombr’s “i wish i knew how to quit you”

Right from the get-go, the song sets a tone of stubborn, almost self-destructive devotion. It’s not about waiting for a happy ending; it’s about clinging to a feeling, no matter the cost. He’s not just in love; he’s in deep, and he knows it’s a problem he’s not ready to solve.

• sombr – would’ve been you : The Heartbreak of Being Unsavable
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• sombr – i wish i knew how to quit you : An Ode to a Love You Can’t Escape
• sombr – 12 to 12 : A 24/7 Heartbreak
• sombr – back to friends : The Awkward Point of No Return

I won’t call it off till I’m stone
I’ll write a book with all the reasons I could call you my home, but I won’t
‘Cause you’re unavailable
I won’t save myself, I’m unwell
I’d rather take another bottle off the top of the shelf than get help
‘Cause you’re no good for my health

See what I mean? He’s fully aware that this connection is unhealthy. He literally says, “you’re no good for my health”. Yet, instead of seeking help or walking away, he leans into the pain, preferring a bottle over a breakthrough. It’s a powerful admission of choosing the familiar ache of longing over the terrifying uncertainty of letting go. The person is “unavailable,” a closed door he keeps knocking on, knowing no one will answer.

And then comes the chorus, the absolute gut-punch of the entire song. It’s the thesis statement for this entire emotional ordeal.

I wish I knew how to quit you
You were never mine, but I was always yours
I wish I knew how to quit you
But I’m addicted to you more and more

That line, “You were never mine, but I was always yours,” perfectly captures the painful imbalance. It’s the story of giving your whole heart to someone who only holds a small piece of it, if any at all. The use of the word “addicted” isn’t for drama; it’s the most accurate description. This isn’t a choice anymore. It’s a compulsion, a craving he can’t shake.

That One Kiss in a Tiny Brooklyn Apartment

Every addiction has its origin story, that first “hit” that gets you hooked. For sombr, it’s a single, cinematic memory that seems to fuel the entire obsession. He transports us right into the room with him, making the feeling incredibly tangible.

When I put you on the counter
Of my tiny place in Brooklyn, and we kissed like there was nothing to lose
Did you feel what I did too?

You can almost see it, can’t you? The cramped Brooklyn apartment, the flickering city lights outside, a moment so intense it felt like the world outside didn’t exist. But it’s that last, vulnerable question—“Did you feel what I did too?”—that reveals the crack in the foundation. He’s been replaying this moment, wondering if the magic was shared or if he was the only one whose world tilted on its axis.

An Echo in the Veins

This isn’t just a memory he replays; it’s a part of him now. The connection feels so deep, so permanent, that it’s become a biological fact in his mind. It’s a hauntingly beautiful way to describe how someone can leave an indelible mark on you, even when they’re gone.

Oh, you’re in my DNA, so much exchanged
At least I know when you’re away, there’ll always be a part of you that stays
You’re the echo in my veins

Living in a House That Isn’t a Home

The song’s bridge is where the quiet desperation really peaks. It’s the aftermath. It’s the silence after the memory fades, the cold reality of the situation. This is the daily grind of his addiction: the cycle of dreaming and waking up to the emptiness.

I love you while I sleep, then I wake up alone
I live inside a house, without you it’s not home
They don’t know what it’s like to live and never know
If the one that you wait for is ever gonna show

This part is so relatable for anyone who’s ever held onto hope for too long. The distinction between a “house” and a “home” is everything. A house is just structure; a home is a feeling, a person. And that uncertainty of “never know[ing]” if they’ll ever return or choose you is a special kind of torture that this song captures perfectly.

So, what’s the message here? Is it all just a spiral of despair? I don’t think so. The real power of this song is in its honesty. By putting a name to this feeling—this addiction—it offers validation. It says, “You’re not crazy for feeling this way.” Acknowledging that you don’t know how to quit someone is the very first step toward eventually figuring it out. It’s a song about being stuck, but it’s also a song that, by its very existence, creates a space for understanding and, maybe, eventual healing.

This song feels like a mirror for anyone caught in a one-sided love affair. It’s heartbreakingly specific yet universally understood. But that’s just my take on it. What do you hear when you listen to this track? Does a particular line resonate with you? Let’s talk about it; I’d love to hear another perspective.