Brynn Cartelli – Secondhand Smoke (Audio, Lyrics, Video)

Watch the official music video for the “Secondhand Smoke” track by Brynn Cartelli. The piece of music was produced by Adam Argyle. Listen, stream, buy the song, read the lyrics.

Brynn Cartelli Secondhand Smoke

“Secondhand Smoke” is about a friendship breakup, its ending, and Cartelli coming to terms with it. Evidently, the friendship was quite toxic and seemingly only “thrived in negativity,” as Cartelli alluded to in an Instagram story on January 24, 2023.

The secondhand smoke metaphor is an apt one to describe such a friendship. One aspect is the negativity of another person having affected Cartelli. Another one is the act of breathing out serving as a symbolism of ending the friendship, letting go of that connection, and trying to heal. What’s more, though, is the additional metaphoric insinuation of some permanent damage that may stay with Cartelli. Whereas exposure to literal secondhand smoke from cigarettes can cause physical health problems, Cartelli applies this to psychological and mental damage.

Up until its release, “Secondhand Smoke” was the most anticipated song of Brynn Cartelli, with the first teaser having been posted roughly one and a half years prior. Ever since the first teaser on September 27, 2021, fans had collectively asked and begged the singer under various social media posts to properly release the song.

Brynn Cartelli – Secondhand Smoke (prod. Adam Argyle)

23 February 2023
1 Song, 4 minutes
℗ 2023 Elektra Records LLC

Watch Video

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I’ll admit I had fun
Getting wrapped up in your misery
But look at what it’s done to me
And I thought it was love
But you couldn’t fill my missin’ piece
Or take responsibility

[Pre-Chorus]
With every word you say
Like smokin’ a pack a day
Set up the world you hate
For me to fix
I know you’ll never change
You’ll never take the blame
I shouldn’t have to save
Every mess

[Chorus]
I have to let you go
Breathe out the secondhand smoke
I cannot let it show
I’m afraid that you’ve ruined my lungs
Now I’m on the run, I have to move on
What will I bеcome without you? I don’t know
But I have to let you go
Brеathe out the secondhand smoke

[Verse 2]
What are the side effects
Of bein’ held down for years
By complaints and fake fears?
Well, I guess I made my bed
And I’m leavin’ it here
Hope I’m makin’ that clear

[Pre-Chorus]
With every word you say
Like smokin’ a pack a day
Set up the world you hate
For me to fix
I know you’ll never change
You’ll never take the blame
I shouldn’t have to save
Every mess

[Chorus]
I have to let you go
Breathe out the secondhand smoke
I cannot let it show
I’m afraid that you’ve ruined my lungs
Now I’m on the run, I have to move on
What will I become without you? I don’t know
But I have to let you go
Breathe out the secondhand smoke

[Bridge]
With all of this shit you’re talkin’
I inhaled all of your toxins
Try buildin’ a wall around this town
I can’t be drowned, I’m movin’ out

[Chorus]
I finally let you go
Exhaled the secondhand smoke
I stayed around too long
Still afraid that you’ve ruined my lungs
Now I’m on the run, I’ve almost moved on
What will I become without you? Now I know
But I have to let you go
Breathe out the secondhand smoke
Breathe out the secondhand smoke