"Never Ending Song" became Conan's biggest debut single on Spotify on it's first full day with over 1.28 million streams, surpassing "Telepath" which had 1.14 Million streams.
Full lyrics and meanings can be found on Genius
Teasers
"Never Ending Song" was first teased on the 9th of January 2023 up until the release date when fans started noticing a guitar pick shaped necklace with a star on it featuring in many of his Instagram posts.
On the 14th of March 2023 Conan posted an Instagram post wearing the necklace with the caption "howdy ✪ ✪".
On the 20th of April 2023 he posted another Instagram post with the caption "on and on" which features in the chorus of the song.
On the 10th of May 2023 he posted a 12 second video on his Instagram, Twitter and YouTube of a snippet of his song/music video
On the 12th of May 2023 he posted another 12 second video on his Instagram, Twitter and YouTube of another snippet of his song/music video with the end credit reading "Never Ending Song. May 19"
Quotes
"It’s about a tale as old as time and something we’ve all gone through, which is a painful tumultuous relationship that just never seems to die no matter how many times you kill it. The story just drags on and on. Maybe that’s by design, or maybe you secretly don’t want it to ever end. I’ve always enjoyed disguising my sadness inside of upbeat music. It’s how I’ve handled life. I never like to take myself too seriously—life is painful enough as is." - Conan Gray, via UPROXX
“I wanted to make something that felt like a true reflection of who I am these days. It felt like a celebration of emotions rather than mourning them. It’s beautiful that we get to grow and change together. ‘Never Ending Song’ is the beginning of a story.” - Conan Gray, via unknown
Credits
Written by ILYA, Conan Gray & Max Martin
Main Vocals by Conan Gray
Background Vocals by Luka Kloser, ILYA, Doris Sandberg & Max Martin
Produced by ILYA & Max Martin
Recording Engineered by Sam Holland & Jeremy Lertola
℗ 2023 Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Never Ending Song
Conan Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I saw your face in a magazine today"
Wasn't you, too late, all my tears already fallin'
Tried to turn the page, but our story wasn't stoppin'
And it goes on and on and on
Like a never-ending song
On and on
You and I sacrificed my adolescence
Just to waste my time on the edges of your life
But we've grown too close, now it can't amount to nothin'
I can hear your voice in the music on the radio
And it goes on and on and on
Like a never-ending song
On and on
Like a never-ending song
Can you make us stay forever?
Are we done?
Can you make it play?
On and on and on
Like a never-ending song
On and on
Like a never-ending song
On and on
On and on
Like a never-ending song
In Conan Gray's song "Never Ending Song," the lyrics depict a sense of longing and nostalgia for a past relationship. The song begins with the singer apologizing for reaching out, explaining that they saw their ex's face in a magazine. This encounter triggers a flood of emotions, and despite their attempt to move on from the past, the story between them continues to play out in their mind like a never-ending song.
The lyrics describe the sacrifices made by the singer during their adolescence to be a part of their ex's life, only to realize that all those efforts have amounted to nothing. They have become too close, and now they find themselves unable to let go completely. They hear their ex's voice in the music playing on the radio, which further intensifies the never-ending nature of their feelings.
Throughout the song, there is a question of whether they can make the relationship stay forever or if they are truly done. By expressing their desire for the relationship to continue, they highlight the depth of their longing. The repetition of the phrase "on and on, like a never-ending song" reinforces the idea that their memories and emotions for their ex persist, seemingly without an end.
Overall, "Never Ending Song" captures the bittersweet emotions that come with reminiscing about a past love and the struggle to move on from it. It reflects the complexities of relationships and the lasting impact they can have on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
First, I'll say, "I apologize for callin'
To begin, I want to express my regret for reaching out
But I saw your face in a magazine today"
Yet, I unexpectedly caught sight of your image in a publication
Wasn't you, too late, all my tears already fallin'
Unfortunately, it wasn't actually you, and my tears had already started flowing
Tried to turn the page, but our story wasn't stoppin'
I attempted to move forward, yet our narrative continued without ceasing
And it goes on and on and on
This situation persists relentlessly
Like a never-ending song
Similar to an everlasting melody
You and I sacrificed my adolescence
You and I gave up my youthful years
Just to waste my time on the edges of your life
Merely to squander my existence on the periphery of your existence
But we've grown too close, now it can't amount to nothin'
However, our connection has intensified, yet it seems futile
I can hear your voice in the music on the radio
The sound of your voice resonates through the songs on the radio
Can you make us stay forever?
Is it possible for you to make our bond last eternally?
Are we done?
Have we reached the end?
Can you make it play?
Can you orchestrate the continuation?
On and on and on
Continuously and incessantly
Like a never-ending song
Similar to an everlasting melody
On and on
Persistently
Like a never-ending song
Similar to an everlasting melody
On and on
Persistently
On and on
Continuously and incessantly
Like a never-ending song
Similar to an everlasting melody
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Conan Gray, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Max Martin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@YouTube
a true pop icon 🤩
@animemochi12
Hi yt😊
@blackpinkistherevolution1483
Very true, it’s nice always seeing you YouTube
@libbymay
10 likes. Wow im early
@grayc3814
Hi YT
@exxwhy1645
so true youtube
@lukew1383
I had no clue who this was until last week. A younger coworker played this in the car on our work trip. I was instantly taken back to 1988, and asked when the song was written, as I thought I had completely missed out on a freaking gem of a song for 30+ years of my life. I was amazingly surprised to find out this song was written this year. This is the best throwback to the 80s I have ever heard.
@MarceloAlves-fh4ks
Then you must try Allie x - Black eye and Troye Sivan - One of your girls.
@lukew1383
@@MarceloAlves-fh4ks I'll give them a go!
@kristinenoffsinger5138
Listen to his music. If you like this one, listen to 'maniac'. To me that's another 80s feel type song. Maniac was the first song I ever heard my sis showed me and I was obsessed from then on. Really all his songs are perfection. Heather, comfort crowd, Greek God, checkmate, sober, memories, affluenza, people watching..I could go on I love all his old(esp old stuff)