Grow As We Go — Ben Platt

Artist: Ben Platt

Title: Grow As We Go

Year: 2019

Composers: Ben Abraham & Ben Platt

Producer: Alex Hope

Genre: Pop

To me, this song represents a slow, patient love. This love story can end in one of two ways:

1. Heartbreak for the pursuer

2. Emotional epiphany for the withdrawer

As a person who stands against violence, I am wary of advising anyone to take this kind of a risk in a relationship. Rather, if a person communicates that they need space from you to grow, the best thing to do—especially for yourself and your own mental health—is to respect those wishes and love from a distance. Notably, this song is a breakup song as the two composers were experiencing a rough patch in their relationship. While Platt believed the couple could succeed through the highs and lows of life, Abraham did not agree. In this case, though painful, it is best to consider the wishes of the person who needs space. Otherwise, the love may grow to be resentful and toxic.

However, I first listened to this song when I was not in a relationship and it made me reflect on patterns I had seen in my past relationships. It also helped me realize that a love that is worth fighting for will not abandon me in a time of need. Grow As We Go taught me to be open to help from loved ones. In my current relationship, I do believe my partner and I aspire to Grow As We Go and support each other in our highs and lows. This feels like the purest and most mature form of love I have encountered; it is reciprocal and it is respectful.

Connection to Playlist

Taking a step forward from recognizing personal faults, Grow As We Go encourages personal journeys even while in a relationship. With this, the song closes the chapter of romantic relationships told through my playlist as the couple has overcome loneliness (Flatlines), vulnerability (At My Worst), and growth (Grow As We Go). The song's connection to the playlist title lies in this piece of clarity and belonging in a beautiful relationship: the glory of romance.

Resources

All Relationship Matters, The Pursuer-Withdrawer Relationship, https://www.allrelationshipmatters.com.au/insights-healthy-relationships/pursuer-withdrawer-relationship-conflict.

Ben Platt, Grow As We Go, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDeNQNtW1f8&pp=ygUXYmVuIHBsYXR0IGdyb3cgYXMgd2UgZ28%3D.

Genius, Grow As We Go - Lyrics, https://genius.com/19452879.