Those three empty words will only make it worseI'm tired, I can't take it anymoreThose three empty words will only make it worseWe're tired, we can't take it anymore
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.
Though we're still talking everydayI'm running out of things to say to yaWhat's really gonna break my heartIs to have to tell your little brother
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