i wish i knew how to quit you

sombr

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I won’t call it off 'til 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

[Chorus] I wish I knew how to quit ya You were never mine but I was always yours I wish I knew how to quit ya But I'm addicted to you more and more

[Verse 2] 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? 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

[Chorus] I wish I knew how to quit ya You were never mine but I was always yours I wish I knew how to quit ya But I'm addicted to you more and more

[Bridge] 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

[Chorus] I wish I knew how to quit ya You were never mine but I was always yours I wish I knew how to quit ya But I'm addicted to you more and more I wish I knew how to quit ya You were never mine but I was always yours I wish I knew how to quit ya But I'm addicted to you more and more

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of "i wish i knew how to quit you" by sombr?

The song's meaning is about a powerful, toxic, and inescapable emotional attachment to a person. It uses the language of addiction ("I'm addicted to you more and more") to describe a love that is unhealthy and one-sided. The narrator knows the relationship is bad for them ("you're no good for my health") but feels completely powerless to leave.

What is the "Brokeback Mountain" reference in the song title?

The title is a direct quote from the iconic 2005 film *Brokeback Mountain*. In the movie, the line is spoken by Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) to Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) to express the agonizing and impossible nature of their love. By using this title, sombr taps into a powerful cultural reference for a love that is all-consuming, painful, and inescapable.

What does "You were never mine but I was always yours" mean?

This popular lyric from the song describes the core imbalance of the relationship. It means that while the narrator was completely and wholly devoted to their lover, that same level of commitment was never returned. The other person was "unavailable" and never truly belonged to the narrator, creating a painful, one-sided dynamic of ownership and devotion.

Is the sombr song about a real addiction or a person?

The song uses the metaphor of substance addiction to describe an emotional dependency on a person. Lyrics like "I'd rather take another bottle off the top of the shelf than get help" and "I'm addicted to you" aren't about literal drugs, but about how the narrator uses the memory of this person like a drug, even though it's destroying them.

What genre is "i wish i knew how to quit you"?

The song falls into the genre of Indie Pop, Alternative, and Bedroom Pop. This style is characterized by its lo-fi production, intimate and melancholic atmosphere, and deeply personal lyrics that explore themes of love, mental health, and heartbreak, all of which are hallmarks of sombr's music.

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The Deeper Meaning of "i wish i knew how to quit you"

The Addiction of Unattainable Love

Sombr's "i wish i knew how to quit you" is a haunting exploration of toxic attachment, using the powerful metaphor of addiction to describe an inescapable love. The title itself, a famous quote from *Brokeback Mountain*, immediately frames the song as a story of a painful, all-consuming, and perhaps forbidden connection. The narrator is fully aware of the relationship's destructive nature ("'Cause you're no good for my health"), yet chooses self-destruction over seeking help, preferring another "bottle off the shelf"—a metaphor for indulging in the painful memories.

The song's core heartbreak lies in its profound imbalance, perfectly captured in the line: "You were never mine but I was always yours." This single lyric encapsulates a universe of one-sided devotion. The narrator gave their entire being to someone who was "unavailable" and never offered the same in return. This power dynamic leaves the narrator in a state of perpetual longing, living in a "house" that isn't a "home" without the other person.

The physical and emotional have become intertwined, with the memory of a kiss in a "tiny place in Brooklyn" leaving an indelible mark. The other person is now "in my DNA," an "echo in my veins," suggesting that the connection is no longer just emotional but a part of his very being. It's this deep, almost cellular-level attachment that makes quitting impossible. The song isn't just about missing someone; it's about being addicted to the pain of their absence, a cycle the narrator can't—or won't—break.

About The Track

"i wish i knew how to quit you" is a standout track by indie artist sombr from his EP, "I Barely Know Her." The song went viral on platforms like TikTok, resonating with listeners for its raw emotional honesty and its evocative title, borrowed from the iconic film *Brokeback Mountain*. The lyrics masterfully use the metaphor of addiction to describe a painful, one-sided attachment to an unavailable lover. With its melancholic piano, lo-fi atmosphere, and gut-wrenching chorus, the song has become a quintessential anthem for modern heartbreak and a cornerstone of sombr's deeply personal discography.