Cover art for Undertone by Julia Michaels
Apr. 30, 20211 viewer10.9K views

Undertone Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Is it me or is it my imagination?
You keep popping up in certain situations
I know we cut off all communication
But you leave traces in different places
I made my bed in arms that hold me tighter
I'm happy I don't need to justify it now
Not like I was when I would just defy it
Then I'm reminded

[Chorus]
Every time I find somebody new
I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone
Yeah, every time I find somebody new, yeah
I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone

[Post-Chorus]
But you're always an undertone
You're always an undertone, yeah

[Verse 2]
I know that I'm the type for sentimental
But I'm trying not to get too existential
Do I conjure it?
Or is it just coincidental?
[Pre-Chorus]
And finally, finally, finally, hey
I've fallen deep, fallen deep, yeah
On my knees, on my knees, on my knees
Beggin' you, to let me forget you

[Chorus]
But every time I find somebody new
I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone (I hope you leave me)
Yeah, every time I find somebody new, yeah
I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone (Leave me alone)

[Post-Chorus]
But you're always an undertone (All the time)
You're always an undertone, yeah

[Pre-Chorus]
And finally, finally, finally, hey
I've fallen deep, fallen deep, yeah
On my knees, on my knees, on my knees
Beggin' you, to let me forget you

[Chorus]
But every time I find somebody new
I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone (I hope you leave me)
Yeah, every time I find somebody new, yeah
I hope that the memory of you will leave me alone (Leave me alone)
[Outro]
But you're always an undertone

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About

This song bio is unreviewed
Genius Annotation

This song matches the themes of fear and vulnerability in previous songs on this album. Julia sings about how the memories of past lovers gets in the way of her current relationship.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Julia Michaels say about "Undertone"?
Genius Answer

It’s a situation where certain memories or certain people don’t allow you to fall in love, because it makes you scared of what the next one will be like. Of course it is sad, but I didn’t want it to feel sad. I wanted it to evoke a different emotion: What if we put some sort of pretty breakbeat underneath it, with these beautiful piano chords?

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