Next Summer

On its surface, "Next Summer" is a song about a painful breakup and the lingering hope for reconciliation. It tells the story of someone waiting for their ex-partner to realize their mistake after a new relationship fails. The lyrics express a mixture of devotion and bitterness, with the narrator promising to be there for their ex while also wishing for their new romance to end.

However, Damiano David has explained that the song has a much deeper, allegorical meaning. It is a reflection on life and the internal prisons we build for ourselves. The theme of unrequited summer love serves as a metaphor for being trapped by one's own fears, insecurities, and inability to change or see things from a different perspective. David stated, "When we lack the strength to face change, the mind can become a prison... The fear of not being enough, of not succeeding, of not meeting others' expectations, keeps us imprisoned." Therefore, the song is not just about a lost relationship, but about the universal human struggle with psychological trauma and the courage it takes to face one's own vulnerability and begin the process of self-acceptance.

The narrative begins with a reflection on a relationship that was perceived as solid and promising, only to have it dissolve unexpectedly. The speaker is left with a sense of regret, haunted by unspoken words and the suddenness of the separation. Outwardly, they feign being alright, but internally, they are grappling with a profound sense of loss, fear, and misunderstanding. This inner turmoil is vividly pictured as “dancing with all the demons in my head,” a constant, lonely battle with painful thoughts.

The central plea of the song emerges in the chorus, a recurring message to the former lover. The speaker asks to be called when the ex-partner's new relationship inevitably fails “next summer.” This isn't just a simple offer of comfort; it's a complex mix of hope, bitterness, and unwavering attachment. The speaker positions themself as a dependable refuge, ready to “lick your tears” and provide solace in a moment of anticipated heartbreak. This refrain underscores a belief that the ex-partner had to lose their love to truly understand its value, encapsulated in the line, “You had to throw away our love / To find out nothing's as good as us.”

The song delves into the clichés of love and loss, questioning the old adage, “If you love, let 'em go,” and admitting uncertainty about its validity in this personal context. There's a yearning for a sign, a hope that a chance encounter on the street could signify they were “meant to be.” The speaker's thoughts are consumed by jealousy and curiosity, wondering if their memory still lingers in intimate moments or if the new partner has completely taken their place. There's a painful assertion that the ex seemed happier with them, a detail they believe they can see on their face.

A bridge section expands on the speaker's desperation, listing all the things they've tried—“everything under the sun, every girl and every drug”—to move on, but concludes that nothing suffices because the former lover was “the one.” This reinforces the depth of their fixation. The song concludes by reiterating the core message: a hopeful, patient wait for the ex-lover's return after their predicted heartbreak, with a final, slightly altered line suggesting that perhaps something could be as good as their past love, ending on a note of poignant ambiguity, really hoping the ex's heart breaks next summer.

"Next Summer" was written by Damiano David, Sarah Hudson, Jason Evigan, and Mark Schick. The production was handled by Evigan and Schick. The song was written in Los Angeles in mid-2024, during a period when David was in a "very sad mental state" and feeling nostalgic following the end of a relationship. He has mentioned that after a breakup, it's the only thing a songwriter can often write about.

The track was the third single from David's debut solo studio album, "Funny Little Fears" (2025). It was announced on February 19, 2025, and released on February 28, 2025, through Sony Music Italy and Arista Records. An accompanying music video, directed by Younuts!, premiered hours after the single's release. The powerful video was filmed in an Italian prison and features David as an inmate, visually reinforcing the song's themes of psychological confinement and being a prisoner of one's own fears. David performed the song live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 19, 2025.

"Next Summer" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that elevate its meaning beyond a simple heartbreak anthem.

• The Prison: The most prominent symbol is the prison shown in the music video, which directly visualizes the song's core theme. Damiano David explained that this represents how "we can be prisoners of ourselves, our fears, our insecurities, our inability to change." The physical prison is a metaphor for the mental and emotional confinement one experiences when stuck in a state of fear and self-doubt.
• Summer Romance: The narrative of an "unrequited summer romance" serves as a primary allegory for life's fleeting, pivotal moments and the pain of lost opportunities. It represents a beautiful, transient period that is now looked back on with a mix of nostalgia and regret.
• "Dancing with all the demons in my head": This lyric is a direct metaphor for intense inner turmoil. It paints a vivid picture of the narrator's struggle with painful memories, regrets, and obsessive thoughts following the breakup, portraying a state of mental anguish.
• Waiting for Heartbreak: The act of waiting for the ex's new relationship to fail symbolizes a refusal to move on and a hope rooted in the other person's suffering. It reflects a state of being emotionally stuck, unable to envision a future without the past love, while also highlighting the fatalistic belief that no other love could compare.

The emotional landscape of "Next Summer" is predominantly melancholic, bittersweet, and filled with a deep sense of longing. It captures the complex feelings that follow a difficult breakup: a blend of sadness for what was lost, bitterness towards the ex-partner's new relationship, and a persistent, almost painful hope for reunion.

This atmosphere is created through several key elements. The stripped-down acoustic instrumentation and Damiano's raw, emotive vocal performance create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, especially in the verses where he describes feeling "lost and afraid." The lyrics openly express regret and pain, painting a picture of someone tormented by their thoughts.

However, the emotion shifts and swells in the chorus. Here, the melancholy is tinged with a strange sense of empowerment and fatalistic hope. The act of waiting for the ex to return is both a point of vulnerability and a declaration of unwavering love. This duality makes the song emotionally complex; it's not just a sad song, but a song about the stubbornness of the heart, capturing a mood that is at once defeated and defiant, embodying both love and a touch of schadenfreude.

"Next Summer" was released as the third single from Damiano David's highly anticipated debut solo album, "Funny Little Fears," marking a significant moment in his career outside of his role as the frontman for the globally successful band Måneskin. The song helped to define his solo artistic identity, showcasing a more vulnerable, pop-oriented, and introspective side compared to Måneskin's rock anthems.

The song achieved moderate chart success in Europe, appearing on charts in several countries, including Belgium, where it peaked at number 8, and also charting in France and Portugal. In the UK, it peaked at number 95 on the Official Singles Downloads Chart.

The music video, filmed in an Italian prison, garnered significant attention for its powerful and claustrophobic imagery, which visually amplified the song's deeper themes of psychological imprisonment. The song was also promoted with a performance on the popular American talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, introducing David's solo work to a broad international audience. While it may not have had the explosive chart impact of Måneskin's biggest hits, "Next Summer" played a crucial role in establishing the personal and theatrical narrative of his solo project.

"Next Summer" utilizes a relatively straightforward rhyme scheme and rhythmic structure that serves to emphasize its lyrical content and emotional arc.

Rhyme Scheme: The verses largely follow an AABB rhyme scheme, as seen in lines like "I thought that we had something good in our hands / In a minute, it just slipped away / So many things I didn't say / Before you threw it all away" (with 'hands' being an unrhymed line in this excerpt, but the pattern holds with 'understands'/'band' later). This simple, consistent scheme makes the lyrics feel direct and song-like, enhancing their memorability.

Rhythm and Tempo: The song is a mid-tempo acoustic ballad. The rhythm in the verses is more measured and sparse, reflecting the introspective and melancholic mood. The tempo and rhythmic intensity build into the chorus, which has a more driving, anthemic feel, described as "stadium-sized." This dynamic shift helps to release the emotional tension built in the verses and underscores the chorus as the song's central, powerful message. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical arrangement is key to the song's emotional journey, moving from quiet vulnerability to a grand, sweeping declaration of lingering love and hope.

"Next Summer" employs a combination of musical and literary techniques to create its emotional impact.

Musical Techniques:

• Acoustic Ballad Form: The song is primarily an acoustic ballad, featuring stripped-down instrumentation. This choice places the focus squarely on Damiano's raw vocal performance and the emotional weight of the lyrics.
• Vocal Delivery: David's vocal style shifts from a vulnerable, almost melancholic tone in the verses to a more powerful, anthemic delivery in the chorus. This dynamic shift mirrors the change from introspective pain to a more outward, declarative plea. His characteristic vocal timbre adds a unique layer to the pop sound.
• Stadium-Sized Hook: The producers and David intentionally crafted the chorus to feel "big and stadium," creating a large, open sound that contrasts with the more intimate verses. This makes the central message of the song highly memorable and impactful.

Literary Techniques:

• Narrative Voice: The song is told from a first-person perspective, creating a direct and personal connection with the listener. This intimate point of view makes the emotions of heartbreak, regret, and longing feel immediate and relatable.
• Metaphor and Allegory: As detailed previously, the song's central power lies in its use of allegory, where the story of a breakup represents a larger struggle with internal fears and self-imprisonment.
• Rhetorical Questions: The line "Do you still think of me when you're under the sheets?" is a rhetorical question that highlights the narrator's insecurity and deep-seated need for validation.

What is the meaning behind Damiano David's song 'Next Summer'?

On the surface, 'Next Summer' is about waiting for an ex-lover to return after their new relationship fails. However, Damiano David explained it's an allegory for life, representing how we can become prisoners of our own fears, insecurities, and inability to change.

When was 'Next Summer' by Damiano David released?

The song was released on February 28, 2025, as the third single from his debut solo album, 'Funny Little Fears'.

Who wrote the song 'Next Summer'?

'Next Summer' was co-written by Damiano David, Sarah Hudson, Jason Evigan, and Mark Schick. Evigan and Schick also produced the track.

Where was the music video for 'Next Summer' filmed?

The music video for 'Next Summer' was filmed inside an actual Italian prison. This setting was chosen to visually represent the song's theme of feeling psychologically trapped and confined by one's own insecurities.

What genre is Damiano David's 'Next Summer'?

The song is primarily described as a pop acoustic ballad with elements of pop-rock. Its stripped-down instrumentation focuses on vocals and emotional delivery.

What is the significance of the line 'You had to throw away our love to find out nothing's as good as us'?

This recurring line captures the narrator's deep-seated belief that their past relationship was unique and irreplaceable. It reflects a mix of arrogance and heartbreak, suggesting that the ex-partner will only appreciate what they had after experiencing its loss.

Is 'Next Summer' part of an album?

Yes, 'Next Summer' is the third single from Damiano David's debut solo studio album, titled 'Funny Little Fears', which was released on May 16, 2025.