Never Mine To Lose

The emotional journey begins with an admission of fault in clinging to a flawed relationship; the protagonist labels their attachment as a mistake, yet paradoxically calls it the 'best one I've made.' This oxymoronic sentiment captures the blissful agony of loving someone who isn't completely theirs. As the song unfolds, we experience the protagonist's internal struggle – they recognize the futility in holding on ('something that might never change'), but their fear of letting go and expressing their true feelings keeps them in limbo.

In the pre-chorus, Sarah Proctor emphasizes the protagonist's trepidation towards getting close, as she sings about the inevitability of being let go. The cruel irony of closeness breeding further distance is palpable. The choice to maintain a protective distance is a torturous one: the protagonist is torn between the desire to be close and the self-preservation instinct to avoid the pain that seems imminent.

The chorus articulates the essence of the protagonist's dichotomy with 'more than friends, less than lovers.' It's a status quo that spells emotional ruin, intensified by an aching recognition – they were never in a position to lose this person because they never truly had them. The questions posed in the chorus ('what am I to do if you never choose?', 'what's your excuse?') highlight the frustration and confusion of being good to someone who won't make the emotional leap.

By the second verse, a shift occurs. The protagonist conveys the intoxication of having their affections acknowledged through the simplest acts, like 'the sound of you saying my name,' but combats this with a growing resolve. They begin to understand the necessity of self-respect and the pursuit of a love that is declared and certain. The conclusion presents a looming clarity: they cannot remain in a state of half-hearted affection and deserve to be someone's unequivocal choice.