"Lie to Me" by 5 Seconds of Summer featuring Julia Michaels explores the complexities of a failing relationship and the longing for emotional dishonesty. The song reflects on the pain and regret experienced by both parties involved.

In the first verse, Luke observes his partner's sudden transformation and how she appears happy without him. Although he notices her new happiness, he still wishes that they had never met because he finds it difficult to forget about her. Meanwhile, the pre-chorus implies a past encounter in New York City, perhaps a significant moment in their relationship, where he believed he made the right choices.

Julia Michaels takes over in the second verse, describing how she struggles with sleeplessness due to knowing her partner is involved with someone else. She acknowledges that she is not happy in the situation and experiences feelings of regret.

Both the chorus and the outro display a mutual desire for lies to be told in order to preserve the illusion of love. They hope their partners will lie to them, reinforcing their emotions and pretending that love still exists. The repetition of "lie, lie, lie" emphasizes the plea for false reassurance.

Overall, "Lie to Me" delves into the pain of realizing that a relationship has ended and the longing for deception as a way to escape the reality of lost love. It showcases the struggles and conflicting emotions faced by both individuals involved in the strained relationship.