Song lyrics

Olivia O’Brien – Imaginary Lyrics

Read the lyrics to “Imaginary” by Olivia O'Brien from the album PIXIE.

Olivia O'Brien Imaginary cover art
Album PIXIE
Genre Pop
Duration 3:43

Imaginary Lyrics


I pass billboards of my exes every time I’m driving home
I see that one in the movies
And the other’s playing shows
I can’t even call them exes
They were never mine to own
I see he belongs up there now
I just had him on a loan

While I’m blinded by his name in lights
He never hears a single song I write
I only knew him in a different life
He’s just a character, an archetype

I’ll always be in love with an imaginary man
I hope it’s never real enough for me to hold it in my hands
He’ll never live up to the fantasies I wrote into my plans
I think I’d rather be in love with an imaginary man

Now the only version of myself that he will never know
Is a frail and fragile shell of me that I’ve long since outgrown

While I’m blinded by his name in lights
He never hears a single song I write
I only knew him in a different life
He’s just a character, an archetype

I’ll always be in love with an imaginary man
I hope it’s never real enough for me to hold it in my hands
He’ll never live up to the fantasies I wrote into my plans
I think I’d rather be in love with an imaginary man
I’ll always be in love with an imaginary man
I’m writing fiction
I’m a storyteller
Maybe I’m a fan
But the reality is boring me
It’s more than I can stand
I think I’d rather be in love with an imaginary man

You’re not him you’ll never be
At least not in reality
It’s play pretend and make-believe
Illusions, myths, and fallacies
You’re not him you’ll never be
I like it this way, don’t you see?
I can’t let you get close to me
You’re not the man you’re supposed to be

You’re not him you’ll never be
‘Cause I made him up in my dreams
And nothing’s really what it seems
I don’t like what’s behind the scenes
You’re not him you’ll never be
You don’t have immortality
It’s my deluded fantasy
And I prefer insanity

You’re not him you’ll never be
At least not in reality
It’s play pretend and make-believe
Illusions, myths, and fallacies
You’re not him you’ll never be
I like it this way, don’t you see?
I can’t let you get close to me
I can’t let you get close to me