It starts with a feeling. You’re listening to a track, the beat drops, and then that one line hits: didn't know what it was when i met ya. It’s simple. It’s almost conversational. Yet, it captures the entire chaotic experience of falling into something—or meeting someone—before your brain has a chance to label it.
Most people recognize this instantly as the opening hook from "Best Friend" by Rex Orange County. Released in 2017, the song didn't just become a hit; it became a cultural shorthand for that awkward, beautiful middle ground between friendship and something much more terrifying.
Music works in strange ways. Sometimes a lyric is just a lyric, but other times, it’s a time capsule. For a generation of listeners on SoundCloud and later TikTok, this specific phrase became the anthem of "situationships" before that word was even a part of our daily vocabulary. It’s about the lack of foresight. You meet a person, you think they're just another face, and then suddenly, they're the only thing you're thinking about at 3:00 AM.
The Story Behind the Song
Rex Orange County, born Alexander O'Connor, has a knack for writing lyrics that feel like they were ripped out of a messy iPhone Note. When he wrote didn't know what it was when i met ya, he was tapping into a very specific kind of youthful vulnerability.
The song "Best Friend" isn't a traditional love song. It’s actually kind of bratty and selfish in places. It admits to jealousy. It admits to not wanting to be "just" a friend while simultaneously being afraid of the commitment. That first line sets the stage for the realization that the narrator was caught off guard.
Why the "Met Ya" Moment Matters
In the context of the track, the "it" is ambiguous. Is "it" love? Is "it" an obsession? Is "it" just a really intense connection that the narrator wasn't prepared to handle?
By leaving it vague, O'Connor allowed millions of people to project their own stories onto the lyrics. You've probably had that moment. You meet someone at a party, or maybe in a grocery store line, and you don't hear bells or see fireworks. It’s only months later, looking back, that you realize that specific "hello" changed your entire trajectory.
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The production helps, too. The bright horns and the upbeat tempo contrast with the somewhat anxious lyrics. It creates this sense of "I'm panicking, but I'm having a great time." This contrast is exactly why the song blew up on platforms like TikTok years after its initial release. It’s relatable because life is rarely a slow-burn romance novel; it’s usually a series of "wait, what just happened?" moments.
The Cultural Impact of the Lyric
We live in an era of "vibes." It’s a bit of a cliché now, but didn't know what it was when i met ya is the ultimate "vibe" lyric.
It appeared in thousands of "photo dump" captions. It backed countless videos of people showing their "glow ups" or the progression of their relationships from "just friends" to partners. The lyric resonates because it acknowledges our own lack of control. We like to think we’re the protagonists of our lives, making calculated decisions. This song reminds us that we’re often just along for the ride.
Interestingly, the song saw a massive resurgence during the early 2020s. As people looked for comfort in nostalgia, Rex Orange County’s discography—specifically Apricot Princess—became a go-to for a specific brand of indie-pop enthusiasts.
Breaking Down the Musicality
Musically, the phrase is delivered with a slight upward inflection. It’s questioning. It’s not a declaration of fact; it’s an admission of ignorance.
- The rhythm is syncopated.
- The vocal delivery is "lo-fi" yet crisp.
- The transition from that line into the main riff is one of the most satisfying "earworms" in modern indie music.
When you look at the technical side of why this works, it's about the phonetics. The "t" sounds in "met ya" provide a percussive end to the phrase that makes it incredibly catchy. It’s easy to sing along to, even if you don't have a great voice. It’s "shoutable" at a concert, which is the gold standard for any indie anthem.
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Common Misconceptions About the Lyrics
A lot of people actually get the lyrics slightly wrong or misinterpret the tone. Because the song is so upbeat, it’s often played at weddings or birthday parties. But if you actually listen to the rest of the track, it’s pretty heavy.
The narrator talks about being "your favorite boy" but also mentions that "you're gonna wanna be my best friend baby." There’s a tension there. It’s not a "happily ever after" song. It’s a "right now" song.
Some fans have debated whether the song is about a specific person in Rex’s life, particularly his long-time relationship with fellow musician Thea, which was a major theme in his early work. While he has often written about his real-life experiences, the power of didn't know what it was when i met ya lies in its universality. It doesn't matter who he was talking about; it matters who you are thinking about when you hear it.
How to Use the Lyric in Your Own Life
If you’re a creator or just someone who likes to curate their social media presence, this lyric is a gold mine. It fits a variety of contexts:
- The Long-Term Relationship: Posting a "then vs. now" photo series.
- The New Obsession: Whether it’s a new hobby, a city you moved to, or a pet.
- The Self-Reflection: Looking back at a version of yourself that didn't know how much things were about to change.
The key to making it work is the element of surprise. The lyric is about the gap between then and now. Use it when there is a clear contrast between your first impression and your current reality.
Why We Still Care in 2026
You might wonder why a song from 2017 still gets searched for today. It’s because the feeling hasn't changed. Technology changes, dating apps change, and the way we consume music changes (thanks, AI-curated playlists), but that feeling of being caught off guard by an emotion? That’s permanent.
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Rex Orange County’s career has had its ups and downs, including legal battles that were eventually resolved with all charges being dropped, but his music has maintained a steady grip on the "bedroom pop" genre. He paved the way for artists like Cavetown, Clairo, and Boy Pablo. This specific song, "Best Friend," remains his most-streamed track for a reason.
Actionable Steps for Music Fans
If this lyric is stuck in your head and you want to dive deeper into that specific "indie-pop" sound, here is how to navigate the genre effectively without getting lost in the noise.
Listen to the full album 'Apricot Princess'
Don't just stick to the singles. To understand the context of didn't know what it was when i met ya, you need to hear the transition from the frantic energy of "Television / So Far So Good" into the more mellow tracks. It gives you a better picture of the emotional landscape Rex was in.
Explore the 'Bedroom Pop' Origins
Look into how these songs were recorded. Many were literally made in bedrooms with basic setups. This "DIY" aesthetic is why the lyrics feel so personal. They aren't polished by twenty different songwriters in a corporate office. They are raw.
Check Out Similar Artists
If the "Best Friend" vibe is what you're after, look into the early work of Cosmo Pyke or the jazzy influences of Tom Misch. You’ll find that the "didn't know what it was" sentiment is a recurring theme in the London indie scene from that era.
Apply the Sentiment to Your Own Memories
Take a second to look back at the big milestones in your life. Most of them probably started with a moment where you had no idea what was happening. Embracing that "ignorance" can actually make life a lot less stressful. You don't have to know what "it" is the moment you meet it. Sometimes, the best things are the ones that sneak up on you.
By focusing on the feeling rather than the definition, you allow yourself to experience the "met ya" moments with more clarity. Stop trying to label everything the second it happens. Just let it be what it is, and eventually, the lyrics will make sense on their own.