this is how you fall in love

"this is how you fall in love" by Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler is a tender and heartfelt exploration of the quiet, simple moments that define the beginning of a loving relationship. The song moves away from the dramatic or tumultuous portrayals of love often found in music, instead focusing on the serene and secure feelings that come with finding a true partner. It suggests that falling in love isn't a grand, sudden event, but a gradual process built on intimacy, trust, and mutual support. The lyrics emphasize the beauty of being completely present with someone, shutting out the distractions of the outside world to create a shared personal space. The song's narrative also touches upon the idea of love bringing a sense of safety and dispelling past fears, as expressed in the line, "I had a nightmare but now that I'm not scared." This suggests that the relationship provides emotional security and healing. Furthermore, the advice from a mother, "what's easy is right," reinforces the theme that true love should feel natural and not forced. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of a love that is gentle, supportive, and brings a profound sense of peace and rightness to one's life.

The song narrates the gentle and serene process of falling in love. It begins with one partner describing a perfect, disconnected day with their loved one. They find solace and safety in each other's company, choosing to shut out the world by turning off their phones and drawing the curtains. This act of creating a private sanctuary signifies the depth of their connection. The imagery of 'sun in my eyes, navy blue skies' paints a picture of a beautiful day, with the partner being the ultimate reason for survival and happiness. Past fears and nightmares dissipate in the presence of this newfound love, highlighting a sense of security and peace.

The chorus encapsulates the central theme: the act of falling in love is about letting go and trusting the other person to be there for support. It's portrayed as a slow, comforting dance, a side-to-side sway that is both intimate and reassuring. The repeated phrase 'oh, my love, side to side' reinforces this idea of a steady, unwavering partnership.

The other partner echoes this sentiment, recalling their mother's advice that what feels easy and natural is often the right path. This wisdom validates the effortless nature of their relationship. Their love is the reason they no longer hesitate or have second thoughts. The promise of a lifelong friendship, 'until we grow old,' adds a layer of enduring commitment to their romantic bond. The world around them seems to shine brighter because of their love, where everything that 'glitters is gold.'

The shared experience of overcoming past anxieties is a recurring theme, as both partners acknowledge having nightmares but no longer being scared. This shared vulnerability strengthens their bond. The song's bridge, with its simple, melodic vocalizations of 'oh, my love, side to side,' creates a dreamlike, almost hypnotic atmosphere, allowing the listener to fully immerse in the feeling of being in love. It's a musical representation of the gentle, swaying motion of a slow dance, a metaphor for the easy, back-and-forth rhythm of their relationship. The song concludes by reiterating the core message, solidifying the idea that falling in love is a process of mutual support, trust, and finding peace in one another's arms.

"this is how you fall in love" was released on January 15, 2021, as the lead single from Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler's collaborative EP, "brent ii". The song was written and produced by both Zucker and Cutler. The creation of the "brent ii" EP, including this song, took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This period of canceled tours and unexpected free time allowed the two artists to revisit their collaborative project that began with the "brent" EP in 2019. They returned to the same cabin in Connecticut where they had written their first EP to work on new music. Interestingly, the idea for "this is how you fall in love" sparked while they were working on another song for the EP called "parent song." Chelsea Cutler improvised the line "oh my love, side to side," which both artists immediately felt was special. They then shifted their focus and wrote the entire song around that single line. Zucker has mentioned that they wanted to create an iconic love song, a departure from their usual gravitation towards themes of heartbreak. The song was the last one they completed for the project.

The song follows a simple and consistent rhyme scheme within its verses, primarily couplets (AABB), which contributes to its gentle, lullaby-like quality. For example, in the first verse, "eyes" rhymes with "skies," and "alone" rhymes with "home." This straightforward structure makes the lyrics feel sincere and direct. The rhythm is generally slow and flowing, mirroring the song's theme of a slow, easy descent into love. The musical rhythm, established by the piano and acoustic guitar, is steady and calming. The lyrical phrasing often follows this musical rhythm closely, creating a smooth and cohesive listening experience. The pre-chorus introduces a slight variation, breaking the couplet pattern and building anticipation for the chorus. The chorus itself has a swaying, waltz-like feel, emphasized by the repeated phrase "side to side," which sonically mimics the gentle dance it describes. The overall effect of the rhyme and rhythm is one of soothing predictability and comfort, reinforcing the song's emotional core of safety and peace in love.

"this is how you fall in love" is characterized by its gentle and atmospheric production, which complements its lyrical themes. Musically, the song is built around a simple, lulling piano melody and the soft strumming of an acoustic guitar, creating a lo-fi, intimate feel. The track gradually builds, with swelling strings introduced later to create a more cinematic and grander feel, a decision inspired by Phoebe Bridgers' album "Punisher." The vocal delivery from both Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler is soft and vulnerable, creating a conversational and harmonious duet that enhances the song's intimacy. Their voices blend seamlessly, particularly in the chorus and the bridge's layered harmonies. A notable production choice is the simplicity of the percussion, which is delicate and carefully placed to maintain the song's gentle momentum without overpowering the vocals and instrumentation. The layering of altered vocal tracks in the background is a unique trademark of their collaborative work, adding texture to the soundscape.

"this is how you fall in love" resonated widely with listeners, becoming a popular track from the "brent ii" EP and a key song in Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler's collaborative discography. Its gentle, romantic nature made it a popular choice for playlists centered around love and relationships, and the artists themselves described it as "the kind of song to slow dance to at your wedding." The song's popularity was further boosted by its official music video and a live performance on The Today Show, which brought the intimate duet to a mainstream television audience. While not a chart-topping hit in the traditional sense, it has garnered millions of streams across various platforms, indicating a strong and sustained connection with its audience. The song solidified Zucker and Cutler's reputation as a powerful pop duo capable of capturing nuanced emotional experiences, with this track in particular showcasing a more hopeful and mature perspective on love compared to their earlier collaborations. It was also featured in the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for the movie "The Hating Game."

The song employs several gentle metaphors and symbols to convey its message of budding love:

• Drawing the Curtains and Turning Off Phones: This act symbolizes the creation of a private, sacred space for the couple, shutting out the external world to focus solely on each other. It represents the intimacy and exclusivity of their connection.
• Slow Dance / Side to Side: The chorus, "pull me tight and close your eyes, oh my love, side to side," uses the metaphor of a slow dance to represent the process of falling in love. It's not a wild, passionate affair, but a steady, comforting, and synchronized movement together, implying trust and mutual reliance.
• "What glitters is gold": This lyric suggests that in the context of their love, everything they experience together becomes precious and valuable. It speaks to a shared perspective that imbues their world with beauty and meaning.
• Nightmares: The recurring line "I had a nightmare, but now that I'm not scared" symbolizes past fears, anxieties, and perhaps past heartbreaks. The presence of their partner has banished these fears, illustrating the theme of love as a source of security and emotional healing.

The most prominent recurring phrase is the song's title, "This is how you fall in love," which acts as the central thesis and is repeated in the chorus. Its repetition solidifies the song's purpose as a gentle guide or reflection on the nature of falling in love. Another key recurring line is, "I had a nightmare, but now that I'm not scared." This motif appears in both Zucker's and Cutler's parts, emphasizing that this feeling of newfound security is a shared experience and a cornerstone of their relationship. The phrase "oh my love, side to side," repeated in the chorus and forming the basis of the bridge, is a significant musical and lyrical motif. It originated as a spontaneous ad-lib by Chelsea Cutler and became the foundation of the song. Its repetition creates a hypnotic, swaying feeling, musically representing the slow, steady dance of a deepening relationship.