PRIVATE Lyrics & Meaning Explained: The Kid LAROI’s Intimate Take on Love Under Pressure on Before I Forget

PRIVATE Lyrics


[Verse 1]
Girl, did we move way too fast?
Or is it because we let everyone in on what we had?
I'm not tryna walk you back
You know that if nobody else gets it, I understand
The pressure you face isn't fair, no
I wish I could take it all away from you, but I can't
Yeah, I see the things that they can't, yeah

[Pre-Chorus]
So can we talk about it?
Don't wanna talk too loudly

[Chorus]
Hurt in your eyes
We feel the same kinda pain
And it only gets worse with time (Only gets)
Uh, and everything that we say and we do gets heard
And now (Oh, yeah) they put a strain on our love that wе didn't deserve
Nеxt time, I'm keepin' it private (Oh)
Could have worked it out (Could have worked it)
'Cause I know it was bad, but it could've been worse somehow (Said it could have been)
Uh, and everything that we built, we just watched them burn it down (Burn it down)
They put a strain on our love that we didn't deserve
Next time (They really did), I'm keepin' it private, bae (Uh)

[Verse 2]
Called me drunk to tell me how you feel, now
Called me things I wish I could unhear
I'm sorry, but I feel the way I feel
I honestly think we should just be healing
Called your bluff for saying that it's over
All for what? Our time's up so, girl

[Pre-Chorus]
Can we talk about it? (Talk)
Don't wanna talk too loudly

[Chorus]
Hurt in your eyes
We feel the same kinda pain
And it only gets worse with time (Only gets)
Uh, and everything that we say and we do gets heard
And now (Oh, yeah) they put a strain on our love that we didn't deserve
Next time, I'm keepin' it private (Oh)
Could have worked it out (Could have worked it)
'Cause I know it was bad, but it could've been worse somehow (Said it could have been)
Uh, and everything that we built, we just watched them burn it down (Burn it down)
They put a strain on our love that we didn't deserve
Next time (They really did), I'm keepin' it private, bae (Uh)

[Outro]
I said I'm keeping it private
I said I'm keeping it private, uh
I said I'm keeping it private
I said I'm keeping it private
I said I'm keeping it private, uh
_________________ End __________________

PRIVATE Song Meaning (The Kid LAROI)

“PRIVATE” arrives as one of the standout tracks from The Kid LAROI’s third studio album "BEFORE I FORGET", released January 9, 2026 via Columbia Records. This album marked a dramatic creative pivot for the Australian artist: after completing a different project titled Watch This!, LAROI chose to scrap almost every song and start over with material that felt more emotionally authentic and resonant to his current life experience. The result is a deeply introspective collection anchored in his most personal songwriting to date. "BEFORE I FORGET" is shaped by breakup reflections, vulnerability in love, and a desire to grow through public scrutiny — themes that “PRIVATE” embodies with a compelling mix of pop and alternative sensibilities.

Song Meaning:

From the outset, “PRIVATE” channels a mood of introspection and guarded emotion, setting up an internal conversation between what was lived and what remains unspoken. Whereas some relationship songs dramatize conflict for effect, this track feels like a candid reckoning — an acknowledgment that when love unfolds in the public eye, every nuance becomes a spectacle. LAROI’s vocal delivery and the track’s polished pop backdrop convey not just reflection but a certain fatigue with external pressures that have complicated personal intimacy.

Mid-song, the narrative tension intensifies around the idea of shared pain and collective visibility. The artist seems to grapple with how public attention, commentary, and rumor can weigh on two people trying to preserve something meaningful. In this sense, “PRIVATE” isn’t just about two individuals — it’s about the emotional toll that comes from having private life aired to the world. The juxtaposition of personal vulnerability and external judgment gives the track a universal resonance for listeners who have navigated relationships under scrutiny.

Later in the song, the emotional tone shifts toward acceptance rather than accusation. There’s a sense of learning from the past — recognizing that connections can be significant and sincere even when they unravel. LAROI’s lyricism here doesn’t dramatize heartbreak so much as it contextualizes it: imperfections, misunderstandings, and public influence all played a part, but they do not define the relationship’s worth. This nuanced stance keeps the song from settling into bitterness and instead positions it as a mature reflection on love’s complexities.

By the final sections, “PRIVATE” emerges less as a farewell and more as a lesson on preservation. The decision to keep future connections “private” becomes a metaphor for emotional care and self-protection. It’s as if LAROI is redefining how he wants intimacy to exist going forward — beyond headlines, outside gossip, and unaffected by outside voices. That message hooks directly into the broader thematic arc of BEFORE I FORGET, where honesty and introspection are treated not as weaknesses but as tools of resilience.

Emotional Core and Themes:

At its heart, “PRIVATE” wrestles with vulnerability, visibility, and the intersection between the two. The song’s emotional core lies in a genuine struggle to protect love in a world that often demands spectacle. LAROI shifts from raw feeling to guarded clarity, illustrating how intimacy can be eroded by external forces and internal hesitation alike. The result feels less like a breakup anthem and more like a meditation on how relationships evolve when lived in public view.

This layered emotional landscape — part confession, part boundary-setting — allows the track to connect with listeners who have felt similarly exposed or judged, whether in romantic contexts or broader life situations. It surfaces not just pain, but the wisdom that comes from having felt deeply and thought critically about love’s fragility.

Connection with Listeners:

What makes “PRIVATE” resonate is its refusal to oversimplify heartbreak into cliché. Instead, it invites listeners into a shared emotional space where mistakes, regrets, and lessons coexist. LAROI’s honest delivery and the song’s carefully crafted sonic warmth create an immersive experience that feels personal yet familiar. This balance has broad appeal: it speaks to anyone who has loved fiercely while also wanting something sacred that exists beyond public gaze.

Conclusion:

“PRIVATE” stands as one of "BEFORE I FORGET’s" most introspective and defining tracks. It showcases The Kid LAROI’s evolution as a songwriter unafraid to grapple with the tender tensions of love, self-preservation, and public life. Rather than offering neat resolutions, the song honours emotional complexity, positioning itself as both a caution and a tribute to what was shared. By choosing to make certain parts of life truly private, LAROI underscores a universal truth: some feelings are too precious to be diluted by outside noise. In doing so, he turns a personal narrative into a powerful moment of connection for listeners worldwide.
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FAQ Section
Who sung the song "PRIVATE" by The Kid LAROI?
The song "PRIVATE" was sung by The Kid LAROI.
Who wrote the song "PRIVATE" by The Kid LAROI?
The Kid LAROI, Jack Karaszewski, Andrew Aged & Zack Sekoff.
Who produced the song "PRIVATE" by The Kid LAROI?
Jack Karaszewski & Andrew Aged.

Music Video


Song Details

Album: BEFORE I FORGET
Genre: Pop
Language: English
Label: Columbia Records
Released: January 9, 2026