Almost Is Never Enough (with Nathan Sykes)

"Almost Is Never Enough" is a poignant exploration of a relationship that fails not from a lack of love, but from falling just short of what was needed to make it last. The song's central meaning revolves around the painful and frustrating realization that proximity to happiness is not the same as achieving it. It delves into the theme of missed opportunities and the torment of 'what could have been.' The lyrics articulate the thoughts of two people who were deeply in love but, for reasons of miscommunication or fear, never fully expressed the extent of their feelings to one another. This lack of communication created a gap, leaving them as "two worlds apart" when they could have been "in each other's arms."

The core message is encapsulated in the title phrase: the state of being "almost" in a perfect relationship is ultimately a state of failure and is more painful than if there were no connection at all. It's about the bittersweet nature of a love that had all the potential to be 'the one' but remained incomplete. The song mourns the loss of this potential, highlighting the regret that will inevitably follow when both parties look back and wonder why they gave up on something so close to being perfect.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of two individuals reflecting on a relationship that has reached a painful impasse. One voice begins, expressing a desire to attribute the relationship's failure to external factors, like bad timing or simple incompatibility. However, this is quickly admitted to be a lie—a self-deception to soften the blow. There's a deep-seated acknowledgment that, despite their best efforts to deny it, their true feelings for each other are undeniable and will eventually surface, leading them to question why they ever let the relationship go. The central, recurring theme is the torment of being "almost" in love. The realization dawns that they were incredibly close to a perfect union. Had there been a mutual understanding of the depth of their feelings—if one had known the other wanted them just as intensely—their reality would be one of togetherness, not of being "two worlds apart." Instead of being in each other's arms, they are left with the ghost of a love that was nearly realized. The pain is not in the absence of love, but in its tantalizing proximity. They almost grasped what true love felt like, but this near-miss is ultimately insufficient and heartbreaking.

The second voice enters, echoing this sentiment of regret and what-if. This person fantasizes about a world where goodbyes don't exist, a world where they could rewind time and get the second chance they both deserved. This perspective reinforces the shared feeling of a missed opportunity. Both voices then unite, harmonizing on the core conflict: the internal struggle against denial and the inevitable future regret. They both know that one day they will look back and wonder why they gave up on something so real. The chorus swells with their combined voices, amplifying the tragedy of their situation. The repetition of "almost is never enough" becomes a powerful anthem for their shared experience. They were on the precipice of love, a perfect alignment of hearts that failed to materialize due to unspoken feelings or unseized moments. The song concludes on this lingering note of sorrow, a shared acknowledgment that their near-perfect love story is a tragedy precisely because it was never allowed to be complete.

"Almost Is Never Enough" was written by Ariana Grande, Harmony Samuels, Carmen Reece, Al Sherrod Lambert, Olaniyi Michael Akinkunmi, and Moses Ayo Samuels, with Harmony Samuels handling the production. The song exists in two official versions: a shortened version for the soundtrack of the 2013 film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and a longer, 5:28 version included on Grande's debut studio album, Yours Truly (2013). The soundtrack version was released as a promotional single on August 19, 2013.

The collaboration with Nathan Sykes of the British-Irish boy band The Wanted came about through their shared manager, Scooter Braun. Grande recalled being sent the track with Sykes's vocals already on it, initially mistaking him for a seasoned R&B singer like Brian McKnight due to the quality of his performance. For Sykes, the recording was particularly significant as it was his first time in a studio after undergoing throat surgery in April 2013. He admitted to being very nervous but was ultimately proud of the vocal he delivered, considering it one of his best. The song was recorded at Powerhouse Studios in London and London Bridge Studios in Los Angeles.

The song follows a relatively conventional rhyme scheme, primarily using couplets (AABB) and alternating rhymes (ABAB) within its verses and chorus, which provides a sense of structure and musicality that is common in pop ballads. For instance, in the first verse, "try" rhymes with "life," and "right" with "lie" (though it's an identical rhyme), creating a structured flow. The rhythm is slow and deliberate, set to a ballad tempo that allows the emotional weight of the lyrics and the nuances of the vocal performances to unfold. The song's meter is consistent, creating a steady, melancholic pulse that underscores the feeling of heartache. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the piano accompaniment is crucial; the piano provides a gentle, consistent harmonic background, while the vocal melodies are more fluid, rising and falling with the emotional intensity of the lyrics. This dynamic allows the singers' expressions of sadness and regret to feel both heartfelt and spontaneous against the song's structured backdrop.

Musically, "Almost Is Never Enough" is a pop and soul-influenced ballad driven by a simple, elegant piano arrangement that allows the vocals to be the central focus. The production is deliberately minimalist, creating a timeless, classic feel reminiscent of 90s R&B duets, with critics drawing comparisons to Mariah Carey's work, particularly her duet with Boyz II Men, "One Sweet Day". The song's structure as a duet is a key stylistic choice, allowing for a call-and-response narrative where both partners share their parallel feelings of regret and longing. The vocal performances by Grande and Sykes are characterized by their wide dynamic range and emotive delivery, utilizing powerful belts and delicate runs to convey the song's emotional weight.

Lyrically, the song employs direct address and rhetorical reflection. Phrases like "If I would've known that you wanted me the way I wanted you" serve as a direct expression of internal regret. Repetition is used effectively, with the recurring line "Almost, almost is never enough" acting as a powerful refrain that drills home the central theme of the song, making it both memorable and emotionally resonant.

Upon its release, "Almost Is Never Enough" received positive critical reception, with many critics praising the vocal performances of both Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes, its soulful feel, and its mature, classic sound. Many reviewers noted it as a standout track on Grande's debut album, Yours Truly, and a promising display of her vocal prowess. The song was featured prominently on the official soundtrack for the 2013 fantasy film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, which exposed it to a wider audience. While it was a promotional single and not a major chart-topper in all regions, it did enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 82. The song's enduring legacy lies in its reputation as a fan favorite and a powerful vocal showcase. It is often cited as one of Grande's best ballads and a key moment in establishing her identity as a vocalist with influences from 90s R&B icons like Mariah Carey. The music video, which depicts Grande and Sykes in a recording studio, further emphasized the raw vocal talent at the heart of the song.

The central metaphor of the song is the concept of "almost," which serves as a powerful symbol for an incomplete and unfulfilled relationship. The phrase "almost is never enough" acts as the thesis for the entire narrative, symbolizing the vast, painful gap between potential and reality. This isn't a relationship that ended due to a dramatic fallout, but one that withered because it remained suspended in a state of near-perfection that was ultimately unsustainable. The idea of being "so close to being in love" but ending up as "two worlds apart" is a potent image that illustrates the emotional distance that can exist despite physical or emotional proximity. It highlights the tragedy of a connection that is just one crucial step—like open communication—away from being whole. The lyrics also touch upon the futile desire to "blame it all on life," a metaphor for seeking external excuses to avoid the painful truth that the failure was internal to the relationship itself.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is its title, "Almost is never enough." This phrase functions as the central motif and the song's primary lyrical hook. Its repetition throughout the chorus serves to constantly reinforce the core theme: the painful insufficiency of a near-perfect love. Each time the line is repeated, it gains emotional weight, transforming from a simple statement into a heartbreaking conclusion. Another recurring idea is the contrast between what is and what could have been, captured in the lines "Maybe we wouldn't be two worlds apart / But right here in each other's arms." This juxtaposition is a recurring motif that highlights the tragedy of their situation. The shared admission, "The truth is everyone knows," also reappears, emphasizing the undeniable, palpable nature of their connection that was visible to others, making their failure to unite even more poignant.