Mariah the Scientist Like You Never Meaning and Review
- Burner Records
- Aug 25
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 27

Mariah the Scientist’s “Like You Never,” from her album Hearts Sold Separately, is a sleek and intoxicating R&B track that perfectly balances vulnerability with confidence. The song immediately establishes itself as a vibe, leaning on airy production and Mariah’s fluid shifts between speaking and singing. It carries a dreamy smoothness, yet her delivery injects a sharpness that makes the track dynamic and emotionally gripping. Rather than just floating through the beat, Mariah uses her voice like an instrument, soft at times, biting at others, creating a performance that feels conversational and intimate.
Verse One: Exploring Trust and Vulnerability
Lyrically, the first verse introduces a relationship that feels transformative. Mariah acknowledges her natural independence but also opens up to someone who seems to appreciate her growth and attempts to pull her out of her comfort zone. The tension lies in her hesitation, saying "But I’m too scared to get close," which captures the push and pull of trust and intimacy. It is raw, reflective, and deeply human. Her candid tone keeps the verse grounded, almost like she is confiding in the listener.
Pre-Chorus: Building Intimacy
The pre-chorus is where the record takes its most sensual turn. As she sings, "I look you in both of your eyes when you’re speaking," the closeness intensifies both lyrically and sonically. The subtle build mirrors the intimacy of two people leaning into each other, perfectly leading into the chorus. The writing here is simple but effective, giving space for emotion to carry the weight of the song. It is not about overcomplication, it is about directness, and Mariah thrives in that space.
Chorus: The Heartbeat of the Track
The chorus itself is the song’s heartbeat, where Mariah poses a set of questions that are as tender as they are challenging: "Would you love me like you never loved? / Touch me like you never touched? / Trust me like you never had inhibitions?" These lines highlight her vulnerability but also her desire for something deeper, beyond surface-level connection. There is a clever balance here, Mariah demands intensity and authenticity while leaving herself exposed in the process. It is this duality that makes the chorus so impactful and relatable.
Verse Two and Conclusion: Reflecting on the Past
By the second verse, Mariah adds emotional depth by reflecting on past heartbreak and the way she has learned to cope. Her mention of tears that "could’ve filled an ocean" and the lingering ache of last December contrast beautifully with the intimacy of the present moment. It is as if she is acknowledging the weight of her history while still daring to ask for love in its purest form. Overall, “Like You Never” is a standout on Hearts Sold Separately because it captures Mariah’s ability to blend storytelling, emotional rawness, and lush R&B soundscapes into something that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Listen To Mariah the Scientist Like You Never
Mariah the Scientist Like You Never Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of Like You Never by Mariah The Scientist is a reflection on vulnerability, intimacy, and the desire for a love that is both authentic and uninhibited. The song explores the tension between past heartbreak and present connection, capturing the cautious openness that comes with learning to trust again. Mariah navigates her emotional independence while longing for a partner who can meet her fully, emotionally and physically. Through a mix of spoken word and melodic singing, she conveys the push and pull of attraction, hesitation, and curiosity, creating a track that is simultaneously introspective and sensual. Ultimately, the song is about seeking a transformative connection that challenges both emotional and physical boundaries while honoring personal growth and self-awareness.
Verse One: Introduction to Intimacy and Hesitation
Mariah the Scientist opens “Like You Never” with a verse that immediately sets the tone of intimacy and cautious vulnerability. She sings, “Said he teaching me the difference / Said he showing me it's real / Said I wouldn't ever find another / Guess he holding up the deal,” introducing a romantic interest who is presenting a new kind of love. “Teaching me the difference” suggests she has experienced relationships before but has not felt this level of genuine connection, while “holding up the deal” emphasizes his reliability and consistency, establishing trust. She continues, “Heard I was a loner / But he appreciate my growth / I'm usually on my own / But I'm fuckin' with his approach,” acknowledging her natural independence and previous tendency to isolate herself, yet showing appreciation for his attention and willingness to meet her where she is emotionally. The lines “He wanna get me in my zone tonight / But I'm too scared to get close / Said, 'You fuckin' with me more than most, huh?' / Is that you talking or the dose, huh?” capture the push and pull between attraction and hesitation. “Get me in my zone” implies both emotional and physical intimacy, while “too scared to get close” conveys the vulnerability and caution she brings to this relationship. The mention of “the dose” introduces ambiguity, hinting at possible influence of substances and raising the question of whether feelings are genuine or chemically enhanced.
Pre-Chorus: Emotional and Physical Alignment
The pre-chorus enhances this sense of closeness, depicting the development of emotional and physical intimacy. Mariah sings, “I look you in both of your eyes when you're speaking / Body moving closer to mine / Now I'm leaning in / And we're so aligned, now we're meeting,” using eye contact as a metaphor for honesty and emotional connection. The alignment of their bodies mirrors the alignment of their emotions, emphasizing a growing union that is as psychological as it is physical. She continues, “I was slow to show the signs / Now I see it,” acknowledging her initial hesitation and the gradual recognition of her own feelings, illustrating a journey from caution to openness.
Chorus: Plea for Deep Connection
The chorus serves as the emotional centerpiece of the song, expressing longing for an uninhibited and authentic connection. The lines “Tell me, would you / Love me like you never loved? / Touch me like you never touched? / Trust me like you never had inhibitions? / Baby, I'm listening” convey a plea for deep emotional and physical engagement. The repeated questions reveal a desire for intensity and honesty, asking whether her partner can fully invest and transcend superficial intimacy. The repetition of “never loved” and “never touched” emphasizes both vulnerability and expectation, highlighting her openness to a transformative experience.
Verse Two: Reflection on Past Heartbreak
In the second verse, Mariah reflects on past heartbreak and the coping mechanisms she employed. She begins, “Once upon a time, I thought I had emotions / I know there were tears cried, could've filled an ocean / Though I kept it inside, I know hearts were broken / Took some time to realize that's how I was coping,” showing self-awareness about the way she internalized pain and dealt with emotional trauma. The metaphor of tears filling an ocean conveys the magnitude of her hidden sorrow. She continues, “But that was last December, still I can't remember / How it all went wrong, though I just know it ended (I know),” acknowledging a recent breakup or emotional loss that remains unresolved, creating a lingering sense of confusion. The lines “Still I can't explain it, still I can't replace it / Still we get along and still you call me, baby” suggest the persistence of a residual connection, highlighting how emotional bonds can linger even after a relationship has technically ended.
Repeated Pre-Chorus and Chorus: Reinforcement of Themes
The pre-chorus and chorus repeat, reinforcing the song’s themes of alignment, intimacy, and vulnerability. The repeated pre-chorus, “I look you in both of your eyes when you're speaking / Body moving closer to mine / Now I'm leaning in / And we're so aligned, now we're meeting / I was slow to show the signs / Now I see it,” reaffirms the growing closeness and her acknowledgment of mutual attraction. The chorus repetition, “Tell me, would you / Love me like you never loved? / Touch me like you never touched? / Trust me like you never had inhibitions? / Baby, I'm listening,” further emphasizes the desire for complete honesty and emotional depth. Overall, “Like You Never” navigates the delicate balance between past heartbreak and present vulnerability, showcasing a longing for a love that is both fearless and deeply authentic, while maintaining the tension between hesitation and openness throughout the song.
Mariah the Scientist Like You Never Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Said he teaching me the difference
Said he showing me it's real
Said I wouldn't ever find another
Guess he holding up the deal
Heard I was a loner
But he appreciate my growth
I'm usually on my own
But I'm fuckin' with his approach
He wanna get me in my zone tonight
But I'm too scared to get close
Said, "You fuckin' with me more than most, huh?"
Is that you talking or the dose, huh?
[Pre-Chorus]
I look you in both of your eyes when you're speaking
Body moving closer to mine
Now I'm leaning in
And we're so aligned, now we're meeting
I was slow to show the signs
Now I see it
[Chorus]
Tell me, would you
Love me like you never loved?
Touch me like you never touched?
Trust me like you never had inhibitions?
Baby, I'm listening
Tell me, would you
Love me like you never loved? (Never loved)
Touch me like you never touched? (Never touched)
Trust me like you never had inhibitions?
Baby, I'm listening
[Verse 2]
Once upon a time, I thought I had emotions
I know there were tears cried, could've filled an ocean
Though I kept it inside, I know hearts were broken
Took some time to realize that's how I was coping
But that was last December, still I can't remember
How it all went wrong, though I just know it ended (I know)
Still I can't explain it, still I can't replace it
Still we get along and still you call me, baby
[Pre-Chorus]
I look you in both of your eyes when you're speaking (Oh)
Body moving closer to mine
Now I'm leaning in (Oh)
And we're so aligned, now we're meeting (Oh)
I was slow to show the signs
Now I see it (Yeah)
[Chorus]
Tell me, would you
Love me like you never loved?
Touch me like you never touched?
Trust me like you never had inhibitions?
Baby, I'm listening
Tell me, would you
Love me like you never loved? (Never loved)
Touch me like you never touched? (Never touched)
Trust me like you never had inhibitions?
Baby, I'm listening




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