Handlebars Lyrics Explained: The Story Behind Jennie & Dua Lipa's Hit Song

"Handlebars lyrics" showcase the captivating reunion of South Korean artist Jennie and global pop star Dua Lipa, marking their second collaboration since 2018's "Kiss and Make Up." Released on March 11, 2025, as the fifth single from Jennie's debut album Ruby, the track delivers a mid-tempo, chilled-out R&B experience backed by a slinky, drum-driven instrumental.

The meaning behind "Handlebars lyrics" centers on the awkwardness and vulnerability of falling in love despite past heartbreak. Specifically, lines like "I trip and fall in love / Just like a Tuesday drunk" capture this sentiment perfectly. Furthermore, Jennie's emotional verse "Mercy / Why is it love is never kind to me?" highlights the song's core message about surrendering to love despite previous hurts. The track, produced by Rob Bisel and Ido Zmishlany, also features contributions from Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Allen, adding depth to Jennie and Dua Lipa's handlebars lyrics meaning. Their collaboration is visually enhanced by a psychedelic music video directed by BRTHR, where both artists appear in a technicolor world, even sharing scenes on a heart-shaped spider web.

The emotional story behind 'Handlebars' lyrics

Beyond catchy melodies and chart success, the "Handlebars" lyrics reveal a vulnerability rarely expressed so candidly in pop music. The song delves into the chaotic emotional landscape of falling in love despite knowing the inevitable pain that awaits.

How love and vulnerability are portrayed

In "Handlebars," love isn't portrayed as a fairy tale but rather as an intoxicating, addictive experience that resembles being drunk on a weekday. The opening line "I trip and fall in love just like a Tuesday drunk" establishes this powerful metaphor. This comparison effectively conveys how love feels both out of place and irresistible—something that disrupts normal life yet remains impossible to avoid.

Moreover, the vulnerability comes through when Jennie asks, "Why is it love is never kind to me?". This question reveals the frustration of someone who continuously gives their heart away despite being hurt before. The line "I heard that fools rush in and, yeah, that's me" acknowledges this self-awareness.

Equally important is how both artists portray love as something they cannot control. The alcoholic comparisons throughout the song—including Dua Lipa's line about being "buzzed on your love"—reinforce this sensation of helplessness.

The symbolism of 'falling over the handlebars'

The central metaphor in the jennie handlebars lyrics meaning is falling "over the handlebars," which brilliantly captures the essence of losing control. Handlebars typically represent stability and direction; going over them symbolizes a complete surrender to chaos.

"Hitting the ground so hard" follows this imagery, representing the emotional crash that comes after diving headfirst into love. This symbolism creates a vivid picture of the physical pain of a bike crash as parallel to heartbreak.

In essence, this metaphor illustrates how both artists approach relationships—they "always go all in" despite knowing they'll crash. The song doesn't just describe falling in love; it portrays the entire cycle of recklessness, inevitable pain, and the puzzling willingness to repeat it all again.

Breaking down the key lyrics and their meaning

Diving into the handlebars lyrics, both Jennie and Dua Lipa paint a vivid picture of love's rollercoaster through their carefully crafted verses and chorus. Each section of the song reveals different aspects of their relationship with love and heartbreak.

Jennie's verses: battling past heartbreak

Jennie's opening verse immediately establishes her complicated relationship with love. "Mercy / Why is it love is never kind to me?" shows her frustration with repeated heartbreak. Subsequently, she admits to her pattern with "I heard that fools rush in and, yeah, that's me," acknowledging her impulsiveness in relationships.

The powerful line "It burns me time and time again" reveals her history of getting hurt, yet she questions herself: "So why am I still fixing for this frying pan?" This clever metaphor compares pursuing love to deliberately seeking something that causes pain, highlighting her awareness of self-destructive patterns.

Dua Lipa's verses: surrendering to love

Dua Lipa's verse shifts the narrative toward the intoxicating nature of new love. "Another round, another drink / I try to stop, but I can't think / About anything else but you" compares infatuation to addiction. Additionally, her confession "I'm a little too buzzed on your love to play it cute" shows how completely she surrenders to emotion.

The intensity peaks with "A single kiss, I lost my mind for seven days and seven nights / Can't eat, sleep, baby, it's true," illustrating how love consumes her entirely. Near the end, "Tryna bite my lip, I'm probably gonna slip / And say some crazy shit to you" captures that tension between restraint and emotional release.

The chorus: embracing the chaos of emotions

The chorus of jennie handlebars lyrics delivers the song's central metaphor: "I trip and fall in love / Just like a Tuesday drunk." This comparison is particularly effective as Tuesday drinking represents something inappropriate and out of place—much like falling in love at the wrong time.

"I always go all in, all in, all in / Over the handlebars / Hitting the ground so hard" creates a powerful image of recklessness and inevitable pain. Finally, "If I'm alone, fallin', fallin', fallin'" expresses vulnerability in facing emotional risks without support.

How the music video deepens the song's message

The visually arresting music video for "Handlebars" serves as a perfect visual companion to the song's themes of emotional vulnerability and reckless love. Directed by the acclaimed duo BRTHR, the video takes viewers on a surreal journey that amplifies the track's core message through symbolic imagery and dreamlike aesthetics.

The heart-shaped spider web symbolism

At the center of the video's visual metaphor lies a glittering, heart-shaped spider web where both artists are frequently seen lying together. This striking image functions as a powerful representation of love's entangling nature. Throughout the video, Jennie and Dua Lipa appear trapped yet comfortable in this web—mirroring the song's central theme of willingly surrendering to love's complexities.

The web's heart shape combined with its spider-like qualities cleverly illustrates the handlebars lyrics meaning of being caught between attraction and danger. Just as the lyrics speak of "falling over handlebars," the web represents both the allure and the potential trap that passionate relationships can become. Notably, the sequence where their separate tears merge into a floating, fiery disco ball heart further emphasizes their emotional entanglement.

The psychedelic visuals and emotional states

Beyond the web imagery, the video employs a kaleidoscopic array of visual techniques to portray the disorienting experience of falling in love. The opening scene—featuring Jennie on a circular bed surrounded by flickering television screens—immediately establishes a dreamlike atmosphere that captures emotional disorientation.

As she walks through a rain-soaked alley, Jennie snaps her fingers to freeze raindrops in mid-air, a powerful visual representation of those suspended moments when time seems to stop in the presence of overwhelming feelings. Meanwhile, Dua appears as a glowing figure from another dimension, reinforcing the otherworldly sensation of new love described in the jennie handlebars lyrics.

The video's bold color palette and trippy retro-inspired visuals create an intoxicated perspective that perfectly complements lyrics about being "buzzed on your love." In essence, the psychedelic aesthetic makes viewers experience the same disorientation that the artists describe in their verses about love's overwhelming impact.

What 'Handlebars' reveals about Jennie's solo journey

"Handlebars" represents a significant milestone in Jennie's artistic evolution, offering fans a glimpse into her musical identity beyond Blackpink's structured image.

From Blackpink to Ruby: a new chapter

After departing from YG Entertainment for solo activities, Jennie boldly established her own record label, Odd Atelier, in November 2023. Consequently, she signed with Columbia Records in partnership with her label in September 2024, marking her first steps as an independent artist. This transition culminated in her debut album Ruby, released on March 7, 2025.

"If anything, I'm reintroducing myself to the world with this album," Jennie stated, highlighting how Ruby signals a fresh start. Unlike her previous single releases "Solo" and "You & Me," this full-length album allows Jennie to explore a broader musical landscape, including pop, ballads, reggaeton, hip-hop, and R&B.

How 'Handlebars' fits into Jennie's evolving artistry

During her early Blackpink days, Jennie admitted to experiencing burnout from the heavy emphasis on rap. "I kind of got confused because I came to realize that there's a big side of me inside that loves to sing, but I actually never had the chance to really explore that as a trainee because I got told that I should be a rapper," she revealed on Dua Lipa's podcast.

Presently, Ruby showcases her versatility—she raps on "Like Jennie," sings on "Handlebars," and finds middle ground on "ExtraL" with Doechii. The handlebars lyrics offer a perfect platform for Jennie to display her vocal abilities through the mid-tempo, chilled-out R&B track.

The collaboration with Dua Lipa emerged organically from their long-standing friendship. "Working with Dua is always a pleasure... it doesn't even feel like work, it's more like hanging out with a friend," Jennie explained. This natural creative partnership underscores her newfound artistic freedom.

Ruby's success further validates Jennie's solo path—reaching No.9 on Apple Music's 'Top Albums' chart in the U.S., the highest-ever ranking for a K-pop soloist, proving the jennie handlebars lyrics meaning resonates with a global audience.

FAQS

Curious fans often ask questions about the captivating handlebars lyrics and the collaboration between these two powerhouse artists. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about this dynamic musical partnership.

What have Jennie and Dua Lipa said about the meaning of "Handlebars"?

According to Billboard, both artists described "Handlebars" as "a song that's basically talking about walking into love knowing that you're gonna be hurt and falling for someone over and over again." They emphasized it as "a very special song from the album."

Is there a live performance of "Handlebars"?

Indeed, Jennie and Dua Lipa performed "Handlebars" live during the Ruby | Billboard Korea x Billboard special. This marked their first live performance of the track together, showcasing their vocal chemistry and stage presence.

Who produced "Handlebars"?

Although complete production credits weren't fully detailed in the available information, production queries remain common among fans interested in the technical aspects behind the jennie handlebars lyrics.

When was "Handlebars" released?

The release date information for "Handlebars" has been a popular search query among fans tracking Jennie's solo releases and collaborations with Dua Lipa.

How did "Handlebars" perform commercially?

Regarding commercial performance, this remains a frequent question as fans track the song's chart positions and streaming numbers. The jennie dua lipa handlebars lyrics meaning has resonated with audiences, leading to interest in its commercial impact.

Where can fans find the official lyrics and interpretations?

Numerous platforms offer the official handlebars lyrics jennie meaning, including Genius, which provides detailed annotations and explanations. Additionally, fan communities have contributed over 400 interpretations and meanings to sites like SongMeanings, showing the deep connection audiences have formed with the track's message.

Has Jennie discussed how "Handlebars" fits into her artistic vision?

Throughout interviews, questions about how this track represents Jennie's evolution as a solo artist remain prevalent, especially considering the handlebars lyrics meaning in the context of her broader discography.