Lauv wasn't a superstar when he dropped it. In 2017, Ari Leff—the brain behind the moniker—was just a guy in his early 20s trying to figure out why a specific relationship made him feel more like himself than he ever had alone. It’s a weird paradox. Usually, we're told to find ourselves before we find someone else. But the I Like Me Better lyrics flip that script. They suggest that sometimes, another person acts as a mirror, showing you a version of yourself that you actually enjoy hanging out with.
It’s about New York. It’s about being eighteen. It's about that specific brand of "young love" that feels heavy and light at the same time.
The song didn't just climb the charts because of the catchy synth-pop beat or that signature finger-snap rhythm. It worked because it articulated a very specific psychological phenomenon: the "Michelangelo Phenomenon." This is a real concept in social psychology where partners "sculpt" each other, helping the other person move closer to their ideal self. When Lauv sings about liking who he is when he’s with this person, he’s describing a healthy, transformative attachment.
The Story Behind the I Like Me Better Lyrics
Lauv wrote this song fast. Like, incredibly fast. He’s gone on record saying the melody and the core concept came to him almost immediately after moving to New York City. He was seeing someone, and the vibe was just... easy.
"I had no idea what I was doing," he told Billboard in an interview. He didn't even have a title at first. He just had this feeling. The opening line, "To be young and in love in New York City," sets a cinematic stage, but it's the vulnerability of the chorus that actually sticks.
Why New York Matters
The city isn't just a backdrop. It’s a character.
New York is famously lonely. It's loud, expensive, and overwhelming. To find a "home" in a person amidst that chaos is a powerful narrative. When the I Like Me Better lyrics mention "I don't know what it is but I got that feeling," it’s tapping into that intuitive, wordless connection that happens when you're navigating a massive environment with a new partner.
Honestly, the simplicity is what makes it genius. He isn't using metaphors about stars or burning buildings. He’s talking about sleeping in, being "lost in the light," and stayed up late. It’s domestic. It’s real. It's the kind of stuff you actually do when you’re falling for someone.
Deconstructing the Psychology of the Chorus
"I like me better when I'm with you."
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Think about that for a second. It's a massive compliment. It’s not "I like you." It’s "I like me."
In many toxic relationships, the opposite happens. You become a version of yourself you hate—anxious, jealous, or small. Lauv is describing the green-flag version of romance. Clinical psychologists often discuss how a secure attachment style allows an individual to flourish. When you feel safe, your personality expands. You’re funnier. You’re more confident.
The "Eighteen" Reference
There’s a bit of a timeline quirk in the lyrics. "I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time 'cause / I like me better when I'm with you." Then he mentions being eighteen.
Interestingly, Lauv didn't write this when he was eighteen. He wrote it looking back. That's a crucial distinction. It’s a nostalgic lens. It’s the "retroactive clarity" we get when we realize that a certain person was the catalyst for our growth.
The Production Magic You Might Have Missed
The song sounds "blue." Lauv has frequently discussed his synesthesia, a neurological condition where he associates sounds with colors. For him, this track is a deep, vibrant blue.
- The Snaps: The percussion isn't heavy. It’s casual, like a heartbeat or a walk down a sidewalk.
- The Vocal Chop: That "ooh-ooh" hook isn't a synth; it’s a heavily processed version of Lauv’s own voice. This adds a human element to a digital track.
- The Bassline: It’s subtle but driving, giving the song a sense of forward motion.
If the I Like Me Better lyrics are the soul, the production is the body. It doesn't try too hard. It’s minimalist pop at its finest. This was a departure from the over-produced EDM-pop that dominated 2017. It felt intimate. It felt like a voice note sent from a friend.
Why It Became a Global Phenomenon
The song has billions of streams. Why?
It’s the relatability factor. You don't have to be in New York to get it. You don't even have to be eighteen. Anyone who has ever felt like a "better version" of themselves because of a friend, a partner, or a mentor connects with this.
There’s also the "sleeper hit" factor. It didn't explode overnight. It bubbled up. It was used in To All the Boys I've Loved Before on Netflix, which gave it a massive second wind. The song fit the "Aesthetic" of the late 2010s perfectly—soft, pastel, emotional, but still upbeat enough to dance to.
Misconceptions About the Meaning
Some people think it's a song about dependency. They argue that needing someone else to "like yourself" is unhealthy.
But if you look closely at the I Like Me Better lyrics, it’s not about needing them to survive. It’s about the joy of the discovery. He's not saying "I am nothing without you." He’s saying "You brought out a version of me that I didn't know existed, and I prefer this guy." That's a huge difference. It’s about self-expansion, not self-erasure.
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Comparing "I Like Me Better" to Lauv’s Other Work
Lauv eventually released a full album called ~how i'm feeling~. It explored a bunch of different "characters" or personality traits he has.
"I Like Me Better" fits into the "Hopeless Romantic" character. Compared to tracks like "Modern Loneliness" or "Chasing Fire," this song is remarkably optimistic. Most of his discography deals with the "lonely" side of being a 20-something, but this track remains his most successful because it offers a solution to that loneliness.
It’s the antidote.
Actionable Takeaways from the Lyrics
You can actually learn a lot about your own relationships by looking at how you feel through the lens of this song.
- The Self-Audit: Ask yourself, "Do I like who I am when I'm with this person?" If the answer is no, no amount of "chemistry" can fix that.
- Acknowledge the Catalyst: If someone makes you feel better, tell them. The song is essentially a giant thank-you note.
- Embrace the Simplicity: You don't need grand gestures. Sometimes "staying up late" and "being lost in the light" is enough to build a foundation.
- Check Your Narrative: Are you looking for someone to "complete" you, or someone who helps you "like yourself better"? Aim for the latter.
The enduring legacy of the I Like Me Better lyrics lies in their honesty. They aren't trying to be deep philosophy, yet they end up touching on one of the most profound human experiences: the moment we realize we're changing for the better because of someone else.
If you're revisiting the song today, listen for the way the voice-over at the beginning sounds—a bit muffled, like a memory. It’s a reminder that these moments of "liking ourselves" are often fleeting, so we have to hold onto them when they happen.
To get the most out of this track's vibe, try listening to Lauv’s "Loneliest Together" playlist or exploring the acoustic version of the song, which strips away the synths to reveal just how solid the songwriting really is. Pay attention to the bridge—it’s short, but it bridges the gap between the "young" version of the narrator and the person he's becoming.