Charlie Puth has just released his anticipated album "Voicenotes" which includes his 3 major hits "Attention", "How Long" and "Done for me". Charlie described his previous album "One Track Mind" as "Taylor Swifting it", creating music that was approachable and got as many fans as possible. He did this because he knew he couldn't release his current work as a start, whereas due to his current popularity, his current music is able to be spread and appreciated much easier. ("Charlie Puth "Attention" Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified", Genius 2017) He describes "Voicenotes as music that is about him and his experiences.  "You know I've had some dark thoughts before and some dark times in my life and I've been really messed up,"

Background: "Somebody Told Me" is the realisation that the girl Charlie loved has cheated on him. As the song progresses it goes through his emotions and realisation process. He sings it in such a way as it is a story, in a very simple way. Additionally, the beat and chords are pretty simplistic, creating a raw narrative. This helps the song set that 'real' mood.

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[Verse 1]

I was just with you on your birthday

And I met your whole family

But on the way home

You kinda look at your phone

Couldn't help but ask, "Who is that, babe?"

And the way you said, "Nobody,"

I knew the rumors, they were more than just rumors

​

Because "Voice Notes" is heavily based on Charlie's actual experiences this first verse is sung in a more relaxed, story-like telling tone. This also creates a sombre effect that sets the tone for the entire song.

This verse in particular highlights when Charlie realised that his current girlfriend isn't being faithful towards him. "I was just with you on your birthday, and I met your whole family" tells the listener that this relationship hasn't been going on for too long, but it has been going on long enough for him to take the big step of meeting her parents.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Pre-Chorus]

Maybe I should have noticed

You were just half in love

Maybe I should have noticed

That I'm not the only one

​

The line "Maybe I should have noticed" tells the listener that Charlie is looking for a reason to take the blame, to make it seem like his lover is less at fault than him. It shows his insecure side, a theme within his album. This theme is also present in his song "The Way I Am" 

"You were just half in love" showcases the un-faithful side of Charlie's lover while also showing the listener that he knows she still cares and loves him somewhat. 

"That I'm not the only one" is a reference to Sam Smith's hit, as Charlie actually intended Sam Smith to sing the hook for "See you again"

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[Chorus]

Somebody told me that you

Got another lover you've been giving it to

Can't believe I believed you

You were my girl

Somebody saw you with him

Now you're tryna tell me that he's only a friend

Can't believe I believed it

You were my girl

​

At this point in the song, Charlie begins to speed up his singing, and changes his style drastically. He goes from a casual sombre tone to a powerful tone, which puts emphasis on his despair of the situation. The use of "Somebody told me" refers back to the first verse and the rumors surrounding the situation. She is trying to convince Charlie that she isn't seeing him romantically and that they are just platonic, but he knows that this isn't the case.

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[Verse 2]

Lately you've been making excuses

And the stories ain't adding up

But I just go blind, when you look into my eyes

Every time that I try to confront you (-front you)

There's always somewhere you gotta run to (gotta run to)

The warning signs

They were more than just warning signs

​

Even though Charlie knows that she is lying, he continues to ignore every warning sign because he is so infatuated with her "I just go blind, when you look into my eyes". When he does try to talk to her about it, she avoids the situation.

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[Pre-Chorus]

Maybe I should have noticed

You were just half in love

Maybe I should have noticed

That I'm not the only one

​

The line "Maybe I should have noticed" tells the listener that Charlie is looking for a reason to take the blame, to make it seem like his lover is less at fault than him. It shows his insecure side, a theme within his album. This theme is also present in his song "The Way I Am" 

"You were just half in love" showcases the un-faithful side of Charlie's lover while also showing the listener that he knows she still cares and loves him somewhat. 

"That I'm not the only one" is a reference to Sam Smith's hit, as Charlie actually intended Sam Smith to sing the hook for "See you again"

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[Chorus]

Somebody told me that you

Got another lover you've been giving it to

Can't believe I believed you

You were my girl

Somebody saw you with him

Now you're tryna tell me that he's only a friend

Can't believe I believed it

You were my girl

 

At this point in the song, Charlie begins to speed up his singing, and changes his style drastically. He goes from a casual sombre tone to a powerful tone, which puts emphasis on his despair of the situation. The use of "Somebody told me" refers back to the first verse and the rumors surrounding the situation. She is trying to convince Charlie that she isn't seeing him romantically and that they are just platonic, but he knows that this isn't the case.

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[Bridge]

Yeah

Maybe I should have noticed

That I'm not the only one

​

The tone once again turns sombre, as he has finally realised that she isn't going to be faithful. He has accepted that he isn't the only one.

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[Chorus]

Somebody told me that you

Got another lover you've been giving it to

Can't believe I believed you

You were my girl

Somebody saw you with him

Now you're tryna tell me that he's only a friend

Can't believe I believed it

You were my girl

​

At this point in the song, Charlie begins to speed up his singing, and changes his style drastically. He goes from a casual sombre tone to a powerful tone, which puts emphasis on his despair of the situation. The use of "Somebody told me" refers back to the first verse and the rumors surrounding the situation. She is trying to convince Charlie that she isn't seeing him romantically and that they are just platonic, but he knows that this isn't the case.

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References:

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<https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/94622610/Charlie-Puth-Don-t-expect-anymore-love-ballads-from-him> ""You know I've had some dark thoughts before and some dark times in my life and I've been really messed up,"

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<https://genius.com/Charlie-puth-somebody-told-me-lyrics> "Somebody Told Me"