Meaning of "13" by LANY

The lyrics of "13" delve into the complexities and challenges of a relationship that has lost its initial spark. The speaker poses several questions, trying to understand the turning point where things went wrong. They express their belief that the relationship had a promising start, but somewhere along the way, something shifted. The line "I tell myself it's fine" suggests that the speaker tries to convince themselves that everything is okay, possibly to maintain a sense of normalcy or to avoid confronting the reality of the changes. The repeated question of "did you change your mind?" highlights the speaker's uncertainty and confusion about the other person's feelings and intentions. They grapple with the idea that their partner may have been influenced by someone else, as seen in the line "Who got inside your mind?" This could refer to the influence of outside opinions or the presence of a third party that caused a rift in the relationship.

The lyrics also touch on the physical reminders of the relationship, such as the speaker's clothes still at their partner's house and the lingering scent that triggers memories. These remnants create an internal struggle for the speaker, as they acknowledge the emotional toll of holding onto these reminders. The line "I don't want my heart through that" suggests that the speaker is trying to protect themselves from further pain by distancing themselves from these physical reminders.

Overall, the lyrics evoke a sense of longing and desperation for things to go back to how they were at the beginning of the relationship. The speaker seeks clarity and understanding, hoping to find a way to reconcile the differences and to recapture the initial connection they had with their partner.