Without You Now

## Aurora singles chronology

"**Without You Now**" is the debut single by Australian singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer Aurora. It was released on November 7, 2014 as the lead single from Aurora's debut studio album, *Platinum Heart* (2015).

## Background and composition

In a 2015 interview with *PTV News*, Aurora revealed that a songwriting partner cancelling their scheduled studio session was the catalyst for the song: "I was upset, confused... I remember asking, 'How am I going to do this without you now?', then I realised. By the time my A&R 'A.T.' was notified and called to reschedule, maybe... half an hour later? I'd written and produced a rough demo of 'Without You Now'. I played it over the phone for him, he loved it and shouted, 'This is why I signed you!', and I've been writing and producing independently ever since."

"Without You Now" is composed as a synth-pop song. It addresses the theme of unrequited love by exploring the understanding and acceptance of it, as well as growing from it. "It's about empowerment," Aurora mentioned in a radio interview shortly after the track's release, "it's about learning to love yourself more than the thought of another's love." Structurally, the song follows a traditional pop format: its pre-choruses showcase variation leading into the song's chorus, while its bridge serves as an extended version of the pre-chorus' progressive narrative.

## Critical reception

"Without You Now" was met with generally positive reviews, and considered a promising offering from a new artist.

It received a rating of 7 by Platvian music critics.

## Commercial performance

"Without You Now" debuted and peaked at #5 on the Platvia HitList chart dated November 18, 2014.

## Lyrics

I held onto something that was never there
If love is just a game, then it isn't fair
Delusion made me blind, but I didn't care
I see that I was wrong, and now I'm aware
I clutched to a façade for my dear, dear life
I took solace inside of a sweet, sweet lie
Delusion made me blind; didn't even try
But now that I know, it's always on my mind
**First Pre-Chorus**
You'll never be the one for me
Not even in my wildest dreams
But now I've put the past aside
This unrequited love has died
**Chorus**
I used to fantasize that we would run away
Until the clear blue skies began fading to grey
And soon enough the rain came pouring down, down, down
It felt like I was just about to drown
But then my spark ignited, something deep within
My spirit was unbroken, wouldn't let you win
And looking back I really don't know how, how, how
I ever almost let you put me out
I'm better off without you now
**Second Verse**
Now that I have let you slip away from me
Not losing grip but gaining my sanity
All alone now never have I felt so free
I know exactly who I'm supposed to be
In the shadows memories are put to bed
Nevermore will I seek tragedy and dread
A hunger deep inside begins burning red
I feel alive now all of those feelings are dead
**Second Pre-Chorus**
You'll never be the one for me
Not even in my wildest dreams
But this is now, and that was then
I'm never going back again
**Chorus**
I used to fantasize that we would run away
Until the clear blue skies began fading to grey
And soon enough the rain came pouring down, down, down
It felt like I was just about to drown
But then my spark ignited, something deep within
My spirit was unbroken, wouldn't let you win
And looking back I really don't know how, how, how
I ever almost let you put me out
I'm better off without you now
**Bridge**
You never were the one for me
Not even in my wildest dreams
All alone now I feel so free
I know who I'm supposed to be
And now I see you're back in town
Just don't plan on hanging around
'Cause that was then, and this is now
I'll never let you bring me down again
**Chorus**
I used to fantasize that we would run away
Until the clear blue skies began fading to grey
And soon enough the rain came pouring down, down, down
It felt like I was just about to drown
But then my spark ignited, something deep within
My spirit was unbroken, wouldn't let you win
And looking back I really don't know how, how, how
I ever almost let you put me out
I'm better off without you now

## Live performances

"Without You Now" was included in the setlist for Aurora's debut concert tour, The Heartstorm Tour. It was performed as the final track during the tour's third act, titled "Pain", being the fifteenth performance overall.

## Re-recorded version

Following her split from Red Rose Records in 2020, "Without You Now" was re-recorded for Aurora's album *Platinum Heart: Deluxe* (2021).