Ruin by Shawn Mendes Lyrics Meaning – The True Essence of Lingering Love and Regret
Lyrics
Do you think about me?
And, do ya?
Do you feel the same way? Yeah
And, do ya?
Do you remember how it felt?
‘Cause I do
So listen to me, baby
And I’m not tryna ruin your happiness
But darling don’t you know that
I’m the only one for ya?
And I’m not tryna ruin your happiness, baby
But darling don’t you know that
I’m the only one? Yeah
And, do ya?
Do you think about me at all?
And, do you
Do you feel the same way? Oh, tell me, babe
And, do ya?
Do you remember how we felt?
‘Cause I do
So listen to me, now
Oh, oh
And I’m not tryna ruin your happiness
But darling don’t you know that
I’m the only one for ya?
And I’m not tryna ruin your happiness, baby
But darling don’t you know that
I’m the only one?
Do I ever cross your mind?
Do I ever cross your mind?
Do I ever cross your mind?
Do I ever cross your mind?
Oh
And I’m not tryna ruin your happiness
But darling don’t you know that
I’m the only one for ya?
And I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna
Ruin your happiness, baby
But darling don’t you know that
I’m the only one? Yeah
Oh
Do I ever, said I
Do I ever, said I, do I?
Do I ever, said I
Do I ever, said I, oh
And do I ever, do I ever cross your mind?
Not tryna ruin your happiness at all
In the tapestry of modern pop, certain songs stand out for their raw emotional candor, capturing the hearts of listeners with a melodic pull that echoes the sentiment of the lyrics they bear. Shawn Mendes’s ‘Ruin’ is one such song—a track imbued with the haunting queries of a mind entangled in the remnants of a past love.
As we peel back the layers of this melancholic anthem, ‘Ruin’ reveals itself to be a complex narrative of undying affection, hopeful despair, and the stark realization of being irreplaceable while simultaneously standing at the precipice of potential heartache.
Eternal Echoes of the Heart: Do You Remember?
The song’s repetitive questioning, ‘Do ya? Do you think about me?’ serves as a poignant reminder of the echo chamber that a forlorn lover’s mind becomes post-breakup. These lines do more than plead for an answer—they’re a desperate attempt to validate the shared history, to know that the intimacy and affection that once was hasn’t evaporated into the ether of forgotten memories.
‘Do you remember how it felt?’ is not just a question—it’s a lifeline thrown into the vast expanse of what’s been lost, clinging to the hope that the emotional imprint is as indelible on their former partner as it is on them.
Navigating the Duality of Love and Pain
Mendes’s hook, ‘I’m not tryna ruin your happiness’, carries the weight of selflessness and selfishness in equal measure. It’s an acknowledgment of the other’s newfound peace, juxtaposed with the unabashed declaration that no other love could rival their own.
The duality of not wanting to disrupt whilst simultaneously asserting oneself as ‘the only one’ is the hallmark of an emotional turbulence that so many experience but few can articulate with such simplicity and elegance.
The Inescapability of ‘The Only One’: A Dive into the Song’s Hidden Meaning
When Mendes asserts, ‘But darling don’t you know that I’m the only one for ya?’ it’s a layered confession of soulmate-like entanglement. There’s a dual hidden meaning at play: the belief in a predestined love and the fear of realizing that it might truly be singular in its existence—a love that cannot be replicated or replaced, thus magnifying the potential ruin of its loss.
The hidden sorrow lies in the realization that what is felt so deeply may not be mutual—an emotional gamble that underscores the fragility of placing one’s happiness in the hands of another.
The Haunting Refrain: ‘Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?’
Mendes’s repeated inquisition, ‘Do I ever cross your mind?’ strikes a resonant chord, capturing the universal fear of slipping away from the thoughts of someone who once knew you intimately. The song capitalizes on this fear, addressing the existential dread of becoming a mere footnote in someone else’s story.
This recurring lyric evolves into a chant that underscores the torturous ebb and flow of holding onto the ghosts of a past love while facing the potential reality of indifference.
Echoes of Shawn Mendes’s Deeper Artistry Through ‘Ruin’
Beyond the heartache and the hooks, ‘Ruin’ reflects Mendes’s growth as a songwriter who’s not afraid to dissect the tenderest parts of the human experience. With artful repetition and emotional rawness, he crafts a soundscape that invites listeners into a reflective space of their own longings and regrets.
Through the somber melodies and the weighty pauses, Mendes’s ‘Ruin’ is more than a song—it’s a conversation with the past, wrapped up in chords and choruses that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
