“Should’ve Been Me” is the ninth song from Mitski’s sixth album, Laurel Hell.

The song describes one of Mitski’s relationships and the isolation she felt as a consequence of poor communication on the part of her partner. However, throughout the song, she also repeatedly apologizes for being emotionally unavailable and detached from her partner.

More generaly, the track explores themes of grief, loneliness, and isolation, many of which have been recurring themes throughout Mitski’s discography, on songs such as “I Bet on Losing Dogs” and “Nobody”.