Fine Print
Alex Wilson
Description
A poignant alt-pop ballad about the deceptive nature of love, where grand gestures mask hidden conditions and unspoken truths. Olivia Rodrigo's raw vocals convey the vulnerability of a young woman realizing she's been manipulated by the 'fine print' of a relationship. The song blends intimate, confessional verses with soaring choruses, highlighting the contrast between the initial allure and the eventual disappointment.
Lyrics
Verse 1 Parking ticket on your dashboard grin, Half a smoothie melting by the gearshift. You said, “I’m bad at texts, not at feelings,” I believed the part that did the healing. Hoodie sleeves with the thumbholes torn, Glitter on your lip from the night before. You called me “home” in a borrowed voice, Left a spare key made of choice. Pre-Chorus There was a warning label under your tongue, But you spoke in cursive, I read it wrong. Tiny letters hiding big intent— Right there where the meaning went. Chorus You loved me bold, but you hurt me in the fine print, Headlines sweet, but the terms were bent. I missed the asterisk after “always”— Turned the page and you raised your rates. Guess I’m the clause you never meant, The loophole girl you circumvent. Love looked big; the truth was thin— You loved me bold and left me in the fine print. Verse 2 Your playlist said what your mouth held back, All apologies in the final track. You said, “It’s not a lie, it’s a timing thing,” But clocks don’t fix a severed string. My mascara learned your aftershave, Your jacket kept a list of saves. You signed our future with disappearing ink, It fades right when I start to think. Pre-Chorus There was a warning label under your tongue, But you spoke in cursive, I read it wrong. Every promise had a parenthesis— Said “subject to emergencies.” Chorus You loved me bold, but you hurt me in the fine print, Headlines sweet, but the terms were bent. I missed the asterisk after “always”— Turned the page and you raised your rates. Guess I’m the clause you never meant, The loophole girl you circumvent. Love looked big; the truth was thin— You loved me bold and left me in the fine print. Bridge Highlighter yellow over everything you said, But you wrote the caveats in pencil lead. If love’s a form, then I’ll rewrite mine— Check the box that says “I’m done this time.” Down-Chorus Read me bold, not in the fine print— Say it straight or don’t say it. Final Chorus Don’t love me bold if you mean it in the fine print, If forever’s cheap, I won’t sign it. I found the asterisk after “always”— Crossed it out and kept my name. I’m not a clause you can amend, Not a loophole you pretend. If love is real, then write it big— Or keep your fine print. Tag I read it now. I won’t unread it.