The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Montreal" by the artist "Weeknd, The"

In "Montreal," The Weeknd reflects on a missed romantic connection. The lyrics portray a narrator who tries to appear detached and cynical, advising listeners to "forget about the girls" to avoid heartache. He boasts about his emotional armor, claiming his heart doesn't hurt anymore.

However, beneath this facade of indifference lies regret. He admits that the girl could have had him if she had just tried harder. He was open to the relationship but didn't show it, and now he's left wondering what could have been.

The chorus emphasizes the theme of lost opportunity. He repeats the phrase "It could all be different," hinting at the multitude of potential scenarios that never came to fruition. He acknowledges that she could have been the one, his "guiding light."

In the verse following the chorus, the narrator tries to convince himself, and perhaps the girl, that the song isn't about her. He claims to be good at letting go and moving on.

The repetition of the chorus and the verses with the advice to "forget about the girls" reinforces the narrator's inner conflict. He's torn between trying to appear indifferent and acknowledging his own mistake. Ultimately, the song is about regret and the bittersweet pain of unrealized potential for love.