💫 About the Song
“Relationships” is HAIM at their best — witty, weary, and wonderfully honest about the mess of modern love. It’s less heartbreak, more therapy session set to a groove. The sisters’ blend of pop precision and live-band looseness makes it sound like you’ve walked in on a jam that got too personal.
At its heart, “Relationships” is about patterns: loving people who drive you mad, leaving them, and missing them anyway. On ukulele, it transforms into something tender and conversational — a late-night confessional with a knowing grin.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
We’ll set it in C major, which sits perfectly for both vocals and open chords.
You’ll need C, Am, F, G, Em, and Dm — warm, versatile shapes.
Verse progression: [C] – [Am] – [F] – [G]
Chorus progression: [Am] – [F] – [C] – [G]
Bridge: [Dm] – [G] – [Em] – [Am]
Strumming pattern: light and groovy — down–chuck–up–up–down–up at around 96 bpm.
For the HAIM feel, add percussive slaps on beats 2 and 4 — let the uke act like a drum kit.
Play the verses gently, as if eavesdropping; bring in fuller strums and harmonies for the chorus.
If you’re playing solo, alternate between strumming and fingerpicking to mimic HAIM’s layered sound.
Singing tip: The tone should feel natural and conversational — HAIM’s vocals live in that sweet spot between sarcasm and sincerity. Smile when you sing the “ugh, relationships” lines; it changes everything.
💡 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- “Relationships” wasn’t a single, but it’s a fan-favourite deep cut — raw, funny, and too real for radio.
- HAIM recorded much of Women in Music Pt. III live to tape — the crackle and imperfection you hear are intentional.
- The lyric “You’re in my head, rent-free and reckless” became a viral caption trend on TikTok.
- The sisters often debut this song acoustically backstage or during soundchecks — perfect for ukulele arrangements.
🌈 Final Word
“Relationships” is pure HAIM: dry humour, smart lyrics, and a wink hiding behind every sigh. On ukulele, it becomes lighter — a sigh that turns into a smirk.
It’s the perfect tune for anyone who’s ever rolled their eyes and said, “I’m fine. It’s fine. I’m totally fine.” (While obviously not fine.)
Play it soft, let it groove, and maybe text your ex don’t.
