It deals with the internal conflict of remembering a relationship fondly while recognizing its toxicity.
The song explores the painful aftermath of a breakup where the narrator was blindsided . Key themes include: ROSES - Carly Rae Jepsen
The lyrics use garden imagery, where a once-vibrant love "fades to black" as the relationship dies. It deals with the internal conflict of remembering
Some listeners interpret the track as a meditation on permanent loss or the death of a loved one, given the fragility and haunting nature of the lyrics. Critical Reception ROSES - Carly Rae Jepsen