The Tragic Truth Behind The "I Hate You I Hate You I Hate You" Lyrics: 7 Emotional Secrets Of Gnash & Olivia O'Brien's Mega-Hit
Every breakup leaves behind a ghost, a confusing mix of resentment and longing that is perfectly captured by the viral phrase "I hate you, I love you." While many search for the exact repetition of "I hate you I hate you I hate you lyrics," the true emotional core and definitive song they are looking for is the 2016 global phenomenon, "i hate u, i love u," by gnash featuring Olivia O'Brien. This track, which is still dominating playlists in late 2025, is a raw, unedited diary entry set to a chilling, minimalist beat, revealing the seven emotional secrets that made it a billion-stream anthem.
Released nearly a decade ago, this song remains the ultimate soundtrack for modern, complicated relationships. Its enduring popularity—approaching a monumental streaming milestone—proves that the paradox of loving someone who hurt you is a timeless, universal experience. The track launched both artists into global stardom, but the journey and their current careers are just as compelling.
The Architects of Ambivalence: gnash and Olivia O'Brien's Profiles
The success of "i hate u, i love u" rests on the shoulders of two distinct artists who perfectly embodied the push-and-pull of the lyrics. Their individual careers have continued to evolve, proving they are far more than one-hit wonders.
gnash (Garrett Charles Nash)
- Full Name: Garrett Charles Nash
- Born: June 16, 1993
- Origin: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Role in Music: Singer, songwriter, rapper, DJ, and record producer.
- Early Career: Started DJing at the age of 13. Was part of the duo Gemineyes and gained early recognition for his reimagining of O.T. Genasis’s "CoCo."
- Major Projects: His 2016 EP, us, featured the breakout single. His debut album, We, followed in January 2019.
- Recent Updates (2025): gnash has been discussing a "new chapter" in his career, embracing his independent label, and a project titled "The Art of Letting Go," focusing on mental health and self-acceptance.
Olivia O'Brien (Olivia Gail O'Brien)
- Full Name: Olivia Gail O'Brien
- Born: November 26, 1999
- Origin: Bay Area, California, U.S.
- Role in Music: Singer, songwriter, and actress.
- Breakthrough: She rose to fame in 2016 through the collaboration with gnash, which she originally wrote as a standalone song.
- Major Projects: Following the hit, she signed with Island Records and released successful singles like "RIP" and "Josslyn."
- Recent Updates (2025): Olivia O'Brien has recently returned to the independent music scene (partnering with ADA Worldwide). Her new single, "Blip," was released in April, serving as the lead single for an upcoming EP, signaling a new era of "emotionally raw music."
Secret 1: The Raw, Unsent Text Message That Became a Billion-Stream Hit
The biggest secret behind the song's authenticity is its origin story. "i hate u, i love u" was not a track commissioned by a major label; it was a raw, personal demo written solely by Olivia O'Brien when she was just 16 years old.
She originally penned the song, expressing her feelings about a complicated, post-breakup situation. When she met gnash (Garrett Charles Nash) at a venue, he asked if she had any original material. She sent him the track, which was not posted anywhere at the time. gnash immediately connected with the lyrics, adding his own melancholic, half-spoken, half-rapped verse and creating the final, chilling arrangement.
This organic, low-key creation process—a true collaboration between two young artists—is what gives the song its unique, heart-wrenching sound, a blend of emo-pop and sad rap that resonated with millions of listeners who felt the same way about their own messy relationships.
Secret 2: The Lyrical Paradox That Defines Modern Love
The lyrics are a masterclass in emotional contradiction, perfectly capturing the internal conflict of a lingering attachment. The central theme of the track is the paradox of ambivalence—the simultaneous existence of two opposing feelings: love and hate.
The song is structured as a dialogue, with Olivia O'Brien singing the chorus and bridge, representing the woman's perspective, and gnash delivering the verses from the man's point of view.
The Olivia O'Brien Chorus: The Core Conflict
The iconic lines are:
"I hate you, I love you
I hate that I love you
Don't want to, but I can't put nobody else above you"
This section is the most relatable part of the song, detailing the struggle to move on despite knowing the person is wrong for you. It speaks to loneliness and the feeling of being "used" while still desperately missing the connection.
The gnash Verse: Jealousy and Self-Pity
gnash's verse introduces the element of jealousy and the pain of seeing an ex with someone new, a common post-breakup trigger. The lyrics are raw and unfiltered, often including expletive-laden lines that were famously edited out for the radio version, highlighting the song's original, raw nature.
The key line that adds depth to the conflict is:
"You want her, you need her
And I'll never be her"
This line, delivered by Olivia, is a stark confession of feeling inadequate and replaced, shifting the focus from just missing the person to the painful reality of their new relationship. The song is a complex tapestry of resentment, longing, and profound insecurity.
Secret 3: The Global Chart Domination That Cemented Its Legacy
The song's impact was immediate and global, transforming it from a SoundCloud gem into a certified diamond in the digital age. Its success was a major victory for independent music at the time, showcasing the power of organic virality before it was the norm.
- Billboard Hot 100: The single peaked within the Top 10 on the prestigious US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- International Success: It achieved No. 1 status on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia, a first for both artists.
- Streaming Milestone: The song is currently approaching—or has surpassed—one billion streams worldwide, a testament to its enduring relevance and status as a millennial post-breakup anthem.
Secret 4: The Song's Influence on 'Sad Rap' and Emo-Pop
"i hate u, i love u" arrived at a critical moment in music, helping to define the emerging genres of "sad rap" and modern emo-pop. The song's minimalist production, chilly keyboard melody, and the use of half-sung, half-rapped vocals created a blueprint for many artists that followed.
It normalized the expression of vulnerable, complex male and female emotions over stripped-down, atmospheric tracks, paving the way for the success of similar artists and songs that deal with toxic relationships and emotional conflict, such as tracks by The Chainsmokers and others who followed the melancholy trend.
Secret 5: The Independent Comeback of Olivia O'Brien (2025 Update)
In a major career move in 2025, Olivia O'Brien returned to her independent roots. After her time with Island Records, she partnered with ADA Worldwide for her new material, including the recent single "Blip." This shift signifies her dedication to releasing "emotionally raw music" on her own terms, much like the original creation of her breakout hit.
Secret 6: gnash’s Focus on Mental Health and 'The Art of Letting Go'
gnash, whose real name is Garrett Charles Nash, has used his platform to openly discuss his struggles with mental health. His later work, including the album *We* and his current focus on "The Art of Letting Go," reflects a deeper commitment to emotional honesty, moving beyond romantic breakups to encompass broader themes of self-care and finding a path forward.
Secret 7: Why the Lyrics Still Feel Fresh in 2025
Despite being years old, the song’s central theme of emotional complexity prevents it from aging. In a world of curated social media perfection, the raw, contradictory nature of the lyrics—"I hate you, I love you"—is a refreshing dose of reality. It validates the messy, non-linear process of healing after a breakup, reminding listeners that it is perfectly okay to feel conflicting emotions simultaneously. The song is not about closure; it's about the agonizing, yet universal, process of getting there.
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