i hate u, i love u – gnash ft. Olivia O’Brien

Released in 2016, “i hate u, i love u” by gnash featuring Olivia O’Brien quickly became a viral sensation, captivating listeners with its raw lyrics and haunting melody. The song beautifully captures the emotional complexity of relationships, heartbreak, and the conflict between love and resentment. A blend of pop, alternative, and hip-hop, the track resonated with millions worldwide, earning a spot on various music charts, including the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 10.

The song’s popularity was further amplified by its poignant music video, which visualizes the deeply personal emotions conveyed in the lyrics. The relatability of “i hate u, i love u” helped it become an anthem for those grappling with unrequited love and emotional confusion, cementing gnash and Olivia O’Brien as breakout artists in the music world.

The Artists: gnash and Olivia O’Brien
Garrett Charles Nash, better known by his stage name gnash, is an American singer, songwriter, and DJ. Prior to “i hate u, i love u,” gnash was mostly known for his work as a DJ and for creating remixes. However, this song marked a turning point in his career, showcasing his talent as a singer and lyricist. gnash’s music often delves into themes of vulnerability, love, and mental health, making him a relatable figure for many of his fans. His ability to blend emotional honesty with accessible beats has been a key part of his appeal.

Olivia O’Brien, a then-teenager from California, was relatively unknown before her collaboration with gnash. She initially wrote her verse for “i hate u, i love u” and uploaded a demo of it online, where gnash discovered her. Impressed by her lyrical talent and distinctive voice, he invited her to collaborate on the track. Olivia’s soulful, vulnerable delivery added depth and texture to the song, making her verse one of its standout features. Following the success of “i hate u, i love u,” Olivia launched her solo career, becoming a prominent figure in the pop and alternative music scene.

The Song: A Dual Narrative of Love and Heartbreak
“i hate u, i love u” revolves around the complicated feelings that come with heartbreak, especially when the love is unreciprocated or when two people experience love in different ways. The song is structured as a conversation between gnash and Olivia O’Brien, each expressing their personal experiences with love and loss.

The opening verse, sung by gnash, introduces the listener to the heartache and confusion he feels after a failed relationship. He talks about missing someone but also feeling anger and frustration toward them. His delivery is subdued, almost as if he’s trying to come to terms with his own conflicting emotions. The recurring theme of “I hate you, but I love you” is relatable to anyone who has experienced the complexity of post-breakup feelings.

Olivia O’Brien’s verse serves as a counterpoint to gnash’s narrative. She expresses the pain of being overlooked by someone she loves, feeling as though her emotions are being ignored or undervalued. Her lines, “You don’t care, you never did,” cut deep, embodying the feelings of rejection and emotional neglect that come with unrequited love. The song’s dual perspective allows listeners to empathize with both sides of the relationship—those who feel like they’ve been wronged and those who can’t help but keep loving despite the pain.

The chorus, where gnash and Olivia harmonize on the line “I hate you, I love you,” serves as the emotional climax of the song. It’s a declaration of how love and resentment can coexist, and how, despite the hurt, love often lingers long after a relationship has ended. This central theme resonated with listeners who found comfort in the song’s honesty, even if it reflected a painful truth.

The Music Video: A Visual Reflection of Emotional Isolation
The official music video for “i hate u, i love u,” directed by Mitchell DeQuilettes, perfectly captures the song’s somber and introspective mood. Set against the backdrop of an empty beach and a dimly lit, melancholic landscape, the video mirrors the loneliness and emotional isolation that gnash and Olivia sing about.

In the video, gnash and Olivia are rarely seen together. Instead, they are shown alone in separate locations, often gazing out into the distance or walking through isolated spaces. This visual separation emphasizes the emotional distance between the two characters, even though they are connected by their shared pain. The use of wide shots of empty beaches and vacant streets enhances the sense of isolation and loss.

The beach, a recurring setting in the video, represents the vastness of emotions that gnash and Olivia are experiencing. The waves crashing in the background echo the ebb and flow of their feelings—sometimes calm and reflective, other times tumultuous and overwhelming. The grayscale color palette adds to the overall sense of melancholy, making the video feel like a visual representation of heartbreak.

The simplicity of the video allows the viewer to focus on the emotions expressed by the artists. There are no extravagant sets or dramatic plotlines; instead, the video relies on subtle visual cues to convey the weight of the lyrics. The focus remains on the feelings of loss, confusion, and emotional conflict that gnash and Olivia are grappling with, making the video a powerful companion to the song.

Cultural Impact and Reception
Upon its release, “i hate u, i love u” struck a chord with listeners around the world, particularly among younger audiences who identified with its themes of love and heartbreak. The song’s raw, honest lyrics about the emotional rollercoaster of love resonated with many, making it a popular choice for those experiencing similar situations in their own lives.

The song’s success can be attributed to its ability to tap into universal emotions. The relatable nature of the lyrics, combined with the melancholic yet catchy melody, made it a hit across multiple platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. It quickly climbed the charts in several countries, including the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

“i hate u, i love u” also found popularity on social media, with users sharing the song as the backdrop to personal stories of love, loss, and heartache. Its melancholic tone and emotionally charged lyrics made it a go-to track for those wanting to express their own feelings of romantic confusion and pain.

For gnash, “i hate u, i love u” was a breakthrough hit that established him as a rising star in the music industry. Olivia O’Brien’s involvement in the song also propelled her career, leading to subsequent releases that continued to explore themes of love and vulnerability.

Conclusion
“i hate u, i love u” by gnash featuring Olivia O’Brien is a masterful exploration of the conflicting emotions that come with heartbreak and unreciprocated love. The song’s simplicity, honesty, and emotional depth have made it a timeless anthem for those navigating the complexities of relationships. The music video, with its haunting visuals and representation of emotional isolation, further amplifies the song’s impact.

Years after its release, “i hate u, i love u” continues to resonate with listeners, standing as a poignant reminder of the power of music to articulate the rawest human emotions. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a breakup or reflecting on a lost love, the song offers a sense of solace and understanding, making it a timeless piece of art in the world of pop and alternative music.

Feeling used, but I’m still missing you
And I can’t see the end of this
Just wanna feel your kiss against my lips
And now all this time is passing by
But I still can’t seem to tell you why
It hurts me every time I see you
Realize how much I need you
I hate you, I love you
I hate that I love you
Don’t want to, but I can’t put nobody else above you
I hate you, I love you
I hate that I want you
You want her, you need her
And I’ll never be her
What about all the times
You would pick me up and we’d just drive
Around until we found a place to stay and waste the day away
We’d do nothing but it was okay with me
You say it’s not good to spend all my time
Thinking about you so late at night
But I can’t stop once I start it’s like an avalanche
Thoughts coming and I just wanna hold your hand
Hold your breath, I’m going under
Not coming up ’til this night is over
Until this night is over
I hate you, I love you
I hate that I love you
Don’t want to, but I can’t put nobody else above you
I hate you, I love you
I hate that I want you
You want her, you need her
And I’ll never be her
All alone, I watch you watch her
Like she’s the only girl you’ve ever seen
You don’t care, you never did
You don’t give a damn about me
Yeah, all alone, I watch you watch her
She is the only thing you ever see
How is it you never notice that you are slowly killing me
I hate you, I love you
I hate that I love you
Don’t want to, but I can’t put nobody else above you
I hate you, I love you
I hate that I want you
You want her, you need her
And I’ll never be her