Complexity Lyrics & Meaning: Madison Beer’s Quietly Devastating Reflection on Loving Someone Who Can’t Love Themselves

complexity Lyrics


[Verse 1]
All of my fine complexities
The baggage that I turned into beauty
I have a way, a tendency (Tendency)
I tend to stay with people who leave

[Pre-Chorus]
But how can I expect you to love me
When you don't even love yourself?
How can I expect you to want me
When you want nothing for yourself?

[Chorus]
How can I expect you to love me?
To love me, to love me
How can I expect you to love me?
To love me, to love me

[Verse 2]
Remember the time that you severed me
And you made a joke, but what did you mean?
I look in the mirror and don't see what you see (See)
Wish I could forget what you said to me

[Pre-Chorus]
But how can I expect you to love me
When you don't even love yourself?
How can I expect you to want me
When you want nothing for yourself?

[Chorus]
How can I expect you to love me?
To love me, to love me
How can I expect you to love me?
To love me, love me

[Instrumental Break]

[Pre-Chorus]
How can I expect you to love me
When you don't even love yourself?
How can I expect you to want me
When you want nothing for yourself?

[Chorus]
How can I expect you to love me?
To love me, to love me
How can I expect you to love me?
To love me, love me
________________ End ________________

complexity Song Meaning [Madison Beer]

Emerging as a standout moment on "locket", Madison Beer’s "complexity" captures the emotional tension of uneven relationships and the internal struggles that come with them. Released on January 16, 2026, as part of her third studio album, "locket" represents one of Beer’s most personally revealing projects, blending electronic and pop textures with introspective songwriting. The song sits near the heart of the record, aligning with the album’s exploration of memory, love, and self-reflection. "locket" itself was intentionally crafted as a concise, emotionally cohesive album, a body of work intended to feel like a keepsake of Beer’s internal world.

Song Meaning:

From its opening moments, "complexity" establishes itself as an emotional midpoint in locket’s narrative arc. Rather than telling a linear story of heartbreak or empowerment, the song lingers in that uneasy space where past patterns meet self-awareness. The production wraps melancholic electronica around a clear lyrical question about emotional reciprocity and self-worth, a sonic framing that underscores the song’s thematic tension.

At its core, the track grapples with the difficult realization that meaningful connection requires a foundation of self-acceptance. The singer reflects on recurring dynamics in her relationships, recognizing a pattern of seeking out emotional availability where none existed. This introspective stance turns what could be a simple love song into something more nuanced: a reckoning with old habits, attachment styles, and the emotional cost of hoping someone will fill gaps they themselves cannot.

Rather than shifting to outright blame, the song embraces vulnerability and complexity. The emotional lens here isn’t accusatory, it’s analytical. The narrative voice examines the paradox of wanting someone to see her fully when they are still processing their own wounds. That realization becomes a moment of clarity, not defeat, as the singer begins to understand that unresolved self-doubt shapes how she engages with others.

Positioned amidst other tracks that chronicle the aftermath of love, from quiet memory to decisive acceptance, complexity serves as an emotional fulcrum. It bridges the hurt that comes from longing with the emerging insight that self-worth cannot be transplanted from another person. The electronic and pop elements work together to give a brisk, contemporary edge, while the lyrics anchor the track in a deeply human experience.

Emotional Core and Themes:

At its heart, "complexity" is a study in emotional paradox. It confronts the tension between love and self-worth, drawing out the nuance of wanting affection while also recognizing its fragility if the other person is not fully grounded in their own self-love. This theme resonates with listeners not just as a lyric, but as a universal reflection on how we mirror one another’s insecurities in intimate spaces. The effect is both raw and relatable, a song that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable introspection.

The track’s emotional power comes not from dramatic catharsis but from an honest portrayal of emotional literacy. It’s not just a complaint, it’s an exposition on why some relationships falter before they can flourish. That level of self-questioning gives the song its core depth, making it more than a pop single, it becomes a mirror for listeners wrestling with their own patterns.

Connection with Listeners:

"complexity" connects precisely because it articulates something most people have felt but rarely express with such clarity: the frustration of giving love to someone who isn’t capable of reciprocal care. Madison Beer frames this not as a simple grievance but as a psychological observation, inviting the audience into her inner dialogue rather than presenting a universal statement. That vulnerability increases its relatability.

Through its shimmering production and emotionally candid lyrical approach, the song effectively becomes a companion for anyone navigating self-worth within love and loss. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but it does provide space for reflection, a hallmark of songs that endure beyond the first listen.

Conclusion:

In "complexity", Madison Beer distills the gray areas of love and self-perception into a concise, elegiac pop moment. The song reflects a matured artistic voice, one that balances emotional transparency with musical sophistication. By examining how personal insecurities shape relational dynamics and highlighting the necessity of self-love before mutual love can thrive, "complexity" earns its place as a deeply affecting track on "locket". It stands not just as part of the album’s arc, but as a meaningful statement on the ties that bind us to both others and ourselves.
___________ ____________ ____________

Music Video


Song Details

Song Name: complexity
Artist: Madison Beer
Album: locket
Lyricist: Madison Beer, Lucy Healey, Leroy Clampitt & LOSTBOY
Producers: LOSTBOY, Leroy Clampitt & Madison Beer
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Language: English
Label: Epic Records, Sing It Loud Records, LCC
Released: January 16, 2026

[Disclaimer: Lyrics are for educational and entertainment purposes only. All rights belong to the original owners.]