Nice To Each Other

"Nice To Each Other" by Olivia Dean is a refreshing take on modern dating, advocating for a relationship that is stripped of pretense and pressure. The core message of the song is a desire for a connection that is simple, genuine, and kind. It explores the 'push and pull' of wanting independence while also enjoying the company of someone new. Dean suggests that instead of following the traditional, often-failed, script of romance, two people could simply choose to be good to one another. The song champions a form of love that is allowed to be light and meaningful at the same time, without the need for labels or grand declarations.

The lyrics openly express a weariness with "the classic stuff" of relationships that have not worked in the past, pointing to a more mature and cautious approach to love. The line "'Cause I don't want a boyfriend" is not a rejection of intimacy, but rather a rejection of the baggage and expectations that can come with that title. It's an invitation to let a connection unfold organically, nurtured by simple things like conversation and shared time. The song is a celebration of the 'in-between' spaces in relationships, where vulnerability and playfulness can coexist. It's about finding a middle ground where two people can be both "wrong for each other" and "right for each other," acknowledging the imperfections and complexities of human connection.

The song narrates a story of two people who are at the beginning of a potential romantic connection, navigating the complexities and uncertainties that come with it. The protagonist suggests a simple, gentle approach to their relationship, free from the pressures and clichés of traditional romance. She acknowledges the potential for things to go wrong, humorously mentioning she might "crash your stupid car and make your life a misery," yet she emphasizes the possibility of being "nice to each other." This suggests a desire for a relationship built on kindness and mutual respect, rather than grand gestures or predefined roles.

The lyrics reveal a certain weariness with the conventional ways of love, as the singer states, "'Cause, you know, I've done all the classic stuff and it never works, you know it." This line indicates past heartbreaks and a new-found wisdom to avoid repeating the same mistakes. The song proposes a more organic and authentic connection, one that is allowed to grow naturally, like a plant nurtured with "water, sunlight, talking all night."

There's a sense of vulnerability and self-awareness in the lyrics. The singer admits her fears and hesitations, singing, "Meet me on the mountaintop, I'll be in the shallow end, and wait for you to call it off, 'Cause I don't want a boyfriend." This paradoxical statement captures the internal conflict of wanting connection while being afraid of commitment. The imagery of the mountaintop and the shallow end beautifully illustrates this duality of ambition and caution in love. Ultimately, the song is a hopeful plea for a modern kind of love that is honest, playful, and, above all, kind.

"Nice To Each Other" is a single by British singer Olivia Dean, released on May 30, 2024. The song was co-written by Olivia Dean, Matt Hales, and Zach Nahome. Hales, known for his work with artists like Jason Mraz and Lianne La Havas, also co-produced the track with Nahome, who has worked with Bakar and PinkPantheress. The song followed her 2023 debut album "Messy" and her single for the movie "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy".

In interviews, Olivia Dean has explained that the song is about the complexities of modern dating and finding a balance between independence and connection. She stated, "It's about enjoying someone in the present and allowing it to be both light and meaningful." The accompanying music video, directed by Jake Erland, is a one-take visual that captures the playful and meandering nature of the song, with a set that evolves around Dean's performance.

The rhyme scheme in "Nice To Each Other" is relatively free and conversational, which complements the song's relaxed and naturalistic theme. While there isn't a strict, consistent rhyme pattern throughout, there are instances of rhyming couplets and internal rhymes that add to the song's musicality. For example, in the second verse, "switches are" and "stupid car," and "cutlery" and "misery" create a pleasing sonic connection.

The rhythm of the song is laid-back and grooving, with a gentle, mid-tempo beat. This rhythmic feel supports the lyrical theme of taking things easy and not rushing into a relationship. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is seamless, with Dean's vocal phrasing often playfully weaving in and out of the steady groove. The recurring refrain of "Nice to each other, Wrong for each other, Right for each other, And rise to each other" has a particularly memorable and rhythmic cadence that makes it a central hook of the song.

Musically, "Nice To Each Other" is characterized by its breezy, neo-soul and pop sound, with subtle jazz influences. The arrangement is built around gentle guitar melodies, warm keys, and a slinky rhythm that creates a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Olivia Dean's vocal delivery is soulful and effortless, gliding over the instrumentation with a conversational and candid tone. The use of backing vocal harmonies adds a lush layer to the chorus and refrain.

Lyrically, the song employs a direct and conversational narrative voice. The use of rhetorical questions and candid admissions creates a sense of intimacy and relatability. The repetition of the phrase "Nice to each other" acts as a central thesis for the song, emphasizing its core message. The song's structure alternates between introspective verses and a more declarative, sing-along chorus, creating a dynamic emotional journey for the listener.

As a relatively new release, the long-term cultural influence of "Nice To Each Other" is yet to be fully determined. However, upon its release, the song was met with positive reception for its refreshing and relatable take on modern dating. The track was featured on various music platforms and playlists, and Olivia Dean performed it live on several occasions, including a live debut at London Stadium. The song's themes of rejecting romantic clichés and embracing kindness resonated with a contemporary audience navigating the complexities of relationships in the digital age. The single is part of the build-up to her second album, "The Art of Loving", suggesting it plays a significant role in this new chapter of her artistic journey. The song's warm, soulful sound aligns with the revival of neo-soul and jazz-pop, placing Olivia Dean among a new generation of artists who are redefining these genres for a modern audience.

The lyrics of "Nice To Each Other" are filled with subtle yet effective symbolism and metaphors that enrich the song's meaning.

• Italy: The mention of Italy in the opening lines, "if I come to Italy," can be seen as a metaphor for a romantic escape or a fresh start in a relationship. It evokes images of beauty, leisure, and a departure from the mundane, setting a hopeful and slightly adventurous tone.
• The Mountain Top and the Shallow End: The line "Meet me on the mountaintop, I'll be in the shallow end" is a powerful metaphor for the conflicting feelings of ambition and fear in a new relationship. The mountaintop represents the peak of emotional connection and commitment, while the shallow end symbolizes safety, caution, and a reluctance to dive in too deep.
• Water, Sunlight, Talking All Night: This phrase is a beautiful metaphor for the essential elements needed for a relationship to grow organically. It suggests that, like a plant, love requires simple, natural nurturing – communication, warmth, and time – rather than artificial or forced gestures.
• Crashing the Car: The humorous admission, "I'll probably crash your stupid car," serves as a metaphor for the potential messiness and mistakes inherent in any relationship. It's a candid acknowledgment of imperfection and a way of disarming the fear of things going wrong.

The most prominent recurring phrase in the song is the title itself, "Nice to each other." This phrase is repeated throughout the song in the refrain and the outro, acting as the central mantra and emotional core of the track. Its repetition reinforces the song's main theme of prioritizing kindness and simplicity in a relationship.

Another significant recurring motif is the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, particularly in the lines, "Wrong for each other, Right for each other." This recurring phrase highlights the complexity and ambiguity of modern relationships, suggesting that two people can be a mismatch in some ways but a perfect fit in others. It's a realistic portrayal of love that embraces imperfection.

The phrase "'Cause, you know, I've done all the classic stuff and it never works, you know it" is another key recurring idea that appears in the chorus. This refrain underscores the singer's past experiences and her conscious decision to approach love differently this time around.