Worst in Me

"Worst in Me" is a song released by Julia Michaels, and sung by her in collaboration with Mattman & Robin. It originally appeared as one of the seven tracks on her third EP, "Nervous System", and later became the third single off the EP.

Although not having a music video, single cover or being announced as a single, it is considered so because of being sent to US adult contemporary radios. To promote the single, Julia performed the song on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon". She had previously performed the song on James Corden's "Late Late Show" while not being a single.

## Background

It is described on Julia Michaels' official site as follows: "Delicate piano and skittering synths entwine with her soulful delivery on “Worst in Me.” Originally culled from a voice note on her phone, the song sees Julia open up about a failed relationship."

"I wrote it about my ex-boyfriend," she admits. "It chronicles our downfall and why we couldn’t work. Sometimes people are so afraid of something really good that they sabotage the relationship because they think it can’t be real. All of these little tiny things manifest into problems. You lose the bigger picture, which is that you love each other and genuinely care."

## Composition

The song talks about a relationship going through problems and at the edge of ending. The topic is similar to Michaels' hit song "Issues", but according to the review of the album by Chris Willman of Variety, she's less hopeful about how the relationship will turn out.

## Critical reception

Katherine St. Asaph of Pitchfork reviewed "Nervous System" naming "Worst in Me" one of the weaker tracks on the EP. She wrote that the song "leans a bit too much into the accept-me-at-my-worst confessional that’s become (fairly or not) singer-songwriter cliche: tell rather than show." She also lirically compared "Worst in Me" and "Issues" to american singer-songwriter Fiona Apple's song "Fast as You Can".

## Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Yeah

Remember when I used to be happy for you?

You could go out with your female friends and I'd be totally fine

Remember when you used to be happy for me?

You celebrate all my success without crossing a line

[Pre-Chorus]

Now, it's like we're scared of getting good

'Cause we know the truth is that we could

Yeah, we know that we might actually work

And the truth is that we could

[Chorus]

But maybe it's the worst in me

That's bringing out the worst in you

I know we can fix these kinks

But the worst in me doesn't want to work on things

But the best of me wants to love you

But the worst in me doesn't want to

[Verse 2]

It's almost like I've gotten so used to resentment

That every annoying little thing you say has lost its effect

It's almost like it's made you a little bit bitter

When I don't always react the way you expect

[Pre-Chorus]

It's like we're scared of getting good

'Cause we know the truth is that we could

Yeah, we know that we might actually work

And the truth is that we could

[Chorus]

But maybe it's the worst in me

That's bringing out the worst in you

I know we can fix these kinks

But the worst in me doesn't want to work on things

But the best of me wants to love you

But the worst in me doesn't want to

[Bridge]

I won't hurt you again

If you won't, if you won't

But, baby, I won't lose you again

If you won't, if you won't

Remember when I used to be happy for you?

[Chorus]

But maybe it's the worst in me (worst in me)

That's bringing out the worst in you

I know we can fix these kinks

But the worst in me doesn't want to work on things

But the best of me wants to love you, I really want to

But the worst in me doesn't want to

Really doesn't want to

The worst in me doesn't want to, oh

The worst in me doesn't want to

## Personnel

* **Lyricists** - Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Mattias Larsson, Robin Fredriksson
* **Producer** - Mattman & Robin
* **Vocals** - Julia Michaels
* **Background vocals** - Julia Michaels
* **Bass, cello, clapping, drums, percussion, piano, synthesizer, violin** - Mattman & Robin
* **Mixing** - Mark "Spike" Tent
* **Programming** - Mattman & Robin
* **Strings** - Mattias Bylund
* **String arranger** - Mattias Bylund

Source: Tidal

## Commercial performance

The single didn't manage to enter to any main national chart. Following the release of the EP, "Worst in Me" entered at number 8 at New Zealand's heatseekers chart, which is a chart consisting only of songs that couldn't reach the New Zealand top 40.

The track was sent to US radios, specifically adult contemporary radio, and reached number 29 on Adult Top 40 chart and number 30 on Adult Contemprary singles chart. The single couldn't enter the Billboard Hot 100.

## Videos

Julia Michaels - Worst In Me (Stripped) (Vevo LIFT)Julia Michaels - Worst In Me (Live On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)Julia Michaels - Worst In Me (Live) - VevoHalloween

## References

<references>

1. ↑ About Julia Michaels.
2. ↑ "Album Review: Julia Michaels' 'Nervous System'." Variety.
3. ↑ Review: Julia Michaels: Nervous System EP. Pitchfork.
4. ↑ NZ Top 40.
5. ↑ Adult Top 40 chart. Billboard.
6. ↑ Adult Contemporary chart. Billboard.