On “I Was Never There,” The Weeknd waxes lyrical about the end of a meaningful relationship.

He is unable to deal with the break-up in a healthy way, resorting to drugs, alcohol, and casual sex to numb the pain. While he recognizes that this is self-destructive, he pins the blame on the other party.

As with the rest of My Dear Melancholy, there is speculation as to whether Bella Hadid or Selena Gomez is the subject of this song. It is likely the latter, considering she features as a theme for the majority of the rest of the album as well.

“I Was Never There” (along with “Hurt You,” also from My Dear Melancholy,) marks The Weeknd’s first collaboration with Gesaffelstein.