Used 2 Love

Used 2 Love is a raw and confessional track that delves into the complexities of a toxic relationship and the difficult process of letting go. The central meaning revolves around the painful realization that love alone is not enough when respect and loyalty are absent.

The lyrics explore the dissonance between words and actions. The partner claims to love the narrator and seeks physical closeness ("in my bed"), yet their behavior is inconsistent and manipulative ("treat me different," "changing your mind"). This highlights a common theme in modern relationships where intimacy is used as a tool for control rather than a genuine expression of affection.

Lil Tjay also touches on the concept of self-worth vs. external validation. He expresses frustration that his loyalty and support during his partner's "worst" days were taken for granted. The line "Seems like you don't see me for what I'm worth" marks the turning point where the narrator chooses self-respect over the relationship. The mention of a "convo with God" suggests a spiritual or introspective awakening, indicating that the breakup is not just an emotional reaction, but a necessary step for his personal growth and destiny.

Ultimately, the song is an anthem of resignation and moving forward. By repeatedly labeling the ex-partner as "someone that I used to love," Tjay strips them of their power and presence in his current life, reducing them to a memory. It is a declaration of closure, acknowledging the hurt while firmly stepping into the future.

The song opens with a repetitive, haunting refrain that sets the tone for the entire narrative: the artist acknowledges a person who has transitioned from a current lover to a figure of the past. The narrator immediately addresses the confusion and manipulation they are facing, questioning the partner's motives. The lyrics describe a situation where physical intimacy still occurs—the partner is in the narrator's bed—but the emotional connection has severed. The partner's behavior is inconsistent, saying one thing to get into the narrator's head while treating them differently in reality.

As the verses progress, the narrator reflects on their own investment in the relationship. They emphasize how they gave their all and prioritized this person, even supporting them during their lowest moments ("days when you were at your worst"). However, this loyalty was not reciprocated. Instead, the narrator feels undervalued and realizes the partner does not see their true worth. There is a sense of regret and awakening, described as a "convo with God" that provided clarity. The narrator recognizes the relationship was toxic, filled with "headaches" and played-out games, leading to a firm decision to cut ties.

The chorus reinforces the central theme of estrangement. The narrator admits to having been "brainwashed" and deeply affected, never expecting things to end this way. Yet, the resolve is clear: they are moving on to someone new, leaving the former partner behind as merely "someone that I used to love." The repetition of this phrase underscores the finality of the breakup and the lingering ghost of what the relationship once was.

Used 2 Love was released on December 12, 2025, as a single via TrenchKid Records. The track showcases Lil Tjay's signature melodic rap style, often referred to as the "Bronx silk" sound.

The song was produced by a collaborative team consisting of Gabe Lucas, Bizness Boi, and KaiGoinKrazy. Their production created a "hazy trap-R&B hybrid" featuring twinkling keys and thumping 808s designed to complement Tjay's auto-tuned, emotional delivery. The collaboration brought together producers known for creating atmospheric and emotive soundscapes suitable for introspection.

Upon its release, the track was described as one of Tjay's "rawest" drops, turning "bedroom betrayals into anthems." It fits into a period of his career where he focused on consolidating his status as a melodic rap heavyweight while dealing with the personal costs of fame and relationships. The release was accompanied by a lyric video and official visuals that emphasized the song's somber tone.

The song follows a standard 4/4 time signature with a tempo around 70 BPM, giving it a slow, dragging feel appropriate for a ballad about heartbreak. The rhythm of the vocals is syncopated, often lagging slightly behind the beat to create a laid-back, weary atmosphere.

Rhyme Scheme:

• The verses utilize a mix of AABB and AAAA mono-rhyme schemes to build momentum. For example, in the hook/post-chorus, Tjay rhymes "head" with "bed" (perfect rhyme).
• In the verses, he employs multi-syllabic and slant rhymes, connecting words like "fetish," "regret it," "get it," "bet it," "edit," "read it," and "dead it." This rapid-fire repetition of the "-et it" sound creates a sense of urgency and venting, contrasting with the slower, more melodic chorus.

Musical Techniques:

• Melodic Rap Delivery: Lil Tjay utilizes his trademark "sing-song" rap flow, heavily drenched in Auto-Tune. This technique allows his voice to crack and waver, simulating the sound of someone holding back tears or exhausted by emotion.
• Atmospheric Production: The beat features twinkling piano keys that create a sense of nostalgia and sadness, contrasted with heavy, thumping 808 basslines that ground the track in the trap genre. This duality mirrors the conflict between the soft memories of love and the hard reality of the breakup.

Literary Techniques:

• Repetition: The phrase "Someone that I used to love" is repeated obsessively in the chorus. This stylistic choice mimics the ruminating nature of heartbreak, where the same painful thoughts loop in one's mind.
• Rhetorical Questions: Lines like "Where the fuck is the love at, like?" and "Why are you in my bed?" are used to express frustration and the lack of logical answers for the partner's behavior.
• Antithesis: He contrasts his "best" behavior (putting them first) with their "worst" days, highlighting the imbalance in the relationship.

Released in late 2025, Used 2 Love reinforced Lil Tjay's position as a leading voice in the Melodic Rap and New York Drill adjacent scenes. While too new to have a decades-long legacy, the song resonated immediately with Gen Z audiences on platforms like TikTok due to its relatable themes of "situationships" and digital infidelity.

The song's chorus, with the line "Someone that I used to love," draws a subtle parallel to Gotye's 2011 hit "Somebody That I Used to Know." While musically distinct, Tjay's track taps into the same universal cultural sentiment of total estrangement after intimacy, updating the trope for the trap-R&B generation. It stands as a notable example of the "pain music" subgenre, where artists like Tjay, Polo G, and Rod Wave channel vulnerability into street anthems.

The lyrics employ several symbolic elements to convey the depth of the heartbreak:

• "In my bed" vs. "Treat me different": The bed serves as a symbol of vulnerability and intimacy. By contrasting the partner's presence in this private space with their cold behavior, Tjay highlights the hollowness of their physical connection—it is a shell of a relationship without the core of trust.
• "Convo with God": This metaphor represents a moment of absolute clarity and divine intervention. It symbolizes the lifting of a veil, where the narrator stops seeing what they want to see and starts seeing the truth of the situation.
• "Brainwashed": This term is used metaphorically to describe the manipulation and emotional control the partner exerted. It suggests that the love was not a free choice but a result of psychological games ("get in my head").
• "Someone that I used to love": While a literal statement, this phrase (potentially referencing the famous Gotye lyric) acts as a label of obsolescence. It symbolizes the partner's demotion from a central figure in his life to a mere historical footnote.

"Someone that I used to love" is the song's primary motif. Its constant recurrence in the chorus transforms it into a mantra of acceptance. Initially, it sounds like a lament, but by the end of the song, it feels more like a dismissal.

"You say whatever to get in my head" is another recurring hook. This phrase anchors the song's conflict, reminding the listener that the relationship's issues are rooted in communication and psychological manipulation. The motif of the "text" (seeing a text, no edit) is also significant, grounding the heartbreak in the modern digital reality where betrayal is often discovered on a screen.