In "That's So True," Gracie Abrams takes us right into the emotional wreckage of a breakup, spinning a tale of jealousy, self-reflection, and the sting of seeing an ex move on. In this case, Abrams' narrator is fixated on her ex's new relationship, torn between bitterness and a growing sense of clarity.
The song opens with Abrams in the thick of it, obsessing over the fact that her ex has a new life, a new girl, and a new sense of happiness, none of which involve her. She's angry, sure, but there's also that familiar ache - she's thinking about him constantly, even though she knows better.
As the song unfolds, we see Abrams starting to peel back the layers of that relationship, realizing that maybe, just maybe, it wasn't all that great to begin with. She even imagines warning the new girl about what she's in for, though there's more than a little satisfaction in knowing she's been in her shoes.
By the second verse, Abrams admits that she's still uncomfortably tied to her ex, remembering those quiet, intimate moments. The jealousy isn't rational, but it's there - directed at the new girl, who she imagines is now lounging on the very same couch where she used to sit. Abrams is hurting, and she's not afraid to show it.
There's an interesting bit of lyrical overlap on the chorus.
Ooh, bet you're thinking, "She's so cool"
Kicking back on your couch, making eyes from across the room
On The Secret of Us (Deluxe), "That's So True" is preceded by "Cool." The phrase "kicking back on your couch" mirrors a line in "Cool":
You kick back on your couch with a glass of wine
It's a small but telling detail, hinting that these two tracks are part of the same emotional storyline, likely drawn from Abrams' own life.
So what inspired the song? Abrams was reportedly dating actor Paul Mescal in mid-2024, around the time she wrote "That's So True." But before that, she was in a long-term relationship with songwriter Blake Slatkin, which ended in 2022. That breakup clearly left its mark, with themes of jealousy and emotional conflict surfacing throughout "That's So True." Moving on, as she shows us, is never quite as simple as we'd like.
Alternatively, Abrams may have written "That's So True" about actor Dylan O'Brien, with whom she allegedly had a brief relationship in early 2022. The lyrics describe an ex who has moved on to someone new, which mirrors speculation that O'Brien dated Sabrina Carpenter after his rumored relationship with Abrams. In verse one, Abrams sings about her ex, "looking into big blue eyes," which fits Carpenter's appearance.
This isn't the only song Abrams recorded for The Secret of Us that fans believe could be about O'Brien. Another track, "Cool," has been linked to him as well, with lyrics that seemingly reference women he has been associated with, including Sadie Sink and Elle Fanning.
Abrams co-wrote "That's So True" with her best friend, Audrey Hobert, who's also a frequent collaborator. The two go way back, having spent their middle school days crafting stories through Video Star movies. Hobert made her official songwriting debut on
The Secret of Us album, co-writing seven tracks, including another breakup song, "
I Love You, I'm Sorry." Audrey Hobert's brother is the musician Malcolm Todd.
As for the sound, Abrams teamed up with her regular collaborator Aaron Dessner (of The National) and Julian Bunetta (who's worked with One Direction). Together, they crafted an indie-pop production that pairs briskly strummed acoustic guitar with a driving four-on-the-floor kick drum.
Gracie Abrams earned her first UK #1 single when "That's So True" dethroned Gigi Perez's "
Sailor Song" to top the chart.
Gracie Abrams and Audrey Hobert penned a much racier version of "That's So True." While the original, more PG-13 version is a chart-topper, the alternate take is so explicit that it's unlikely to ever see the light of day.
While attending Spotify's You're Invited, I'm Sorry: An Evening with Gracie Abrams event, the pair admitted to being "a little drunk" during the songwriting process at Electric Lady Studios. They were "doubled over in tears, laughing so hard, and saying the most horrific s--t to song."
Hobert said the song's "gross" nature stemmed from its graphic sexual themes, making it unsuitable for radio or streaming platforms.
Though the explicit version remains a secret to the public, Mumford & Sons, who were recording in the studio above, overheard it.
Gracie Abrams
performed "That's So True" on the December 14, 2024, episode of
Saturday Night Live. She sang the song in front of a fireplace on a candlelit set with soft Christmas lights.
"That's So True" became Gracie Abrams' first #1 on a Billboard radio listing when it climbed to the top of the Pop Airplay chart dated March 15, 2025.
Gracie Abrams told Billboard that after months of humming the song's evolving hook and melody, she and Audrey Hobert wrapped "That's So True" up in just 15 minutes, right after "laughing our asses off on the roof" of New York's Electric Lady Studios.
