I'll pick you up at the same timeAt the same place, the same old driveWe'll just talk about our dayTo try to fill the awkward space tonight
The "three empty words" referred to in the lyrics are . The song portrays a couple who are "going through the motions," performing the same routines and talking about their days just to fill "awkward space". Mendes sings about the struggle of staying in a relationship out of habit or to avoid hurting others—such as having to tell the partner's "little brother" about the breakup—even though the romantic connection has faded.
: The realization that they don't even "care enough to fight" anymore, signaling total emotional exhaustion. Three Empty Words - Shawn Mendes (Lyrics) рџЋµ
Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Ido Zmishlany / Geoffrey Elliott Warburton / Shawn Mendes / Scott Harris FriedmanThree Empty Words lyrics © Music Of Liberal Arts Publishing, Sony/atv Ballad, Rebel One Publishing, Zmishlany Music, Universal Music Works, Songs Of Universal Inc., Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, Mendes Gmr Music, Hipgnosis Side B Key Themes
We're going through the motionsCause we can't fix what's brokenAnd I know it's gonna hurtBut darling I'll go firstCause I won't keep on saying those three empty wordsNo, I won't keep on saying those three empty words, oh I'll pick you up at the same timeAt
Mendes has described the song as a personal reflection on a past relationship, capturing the moment when honesty becomes better than prolonging the pain of a "broken" connection that can't be fixed.
It might be easier to stayBut it'll never be the same, no, oh noAnd if something doesn't changeThen we'll keep on sinking further : The realization that they don't even "care
Three Empty Words - song and lyrics by Shawn Mendes | Spotify