The holiday season comes wrapped in glittering lights and cheerful commercials, promising picture-perfect moments with loved ones. But for many, this time of year can feel anything but festive. Enter Maggie Lindemann’s “loner,” a stark, unapologetic anthem that confronts the reality of solitude head-on—and finds power in it.
Released in 2021, “loner” is Maggie’s declaration of independence from societal expectations. With opening lyrics like, “They say avoidance never heals, but this sure feels good,” she captures a raw honesty that cuts through the season’s forced cheer. The track dives into the comfort and complexity of being alone: “I like a dark room, with nobody but pain.” It’s not a lamentation—it’s an acknowledgment of finding peace in your own space, no matter how imperfect it may seem to others.
Maggie doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles of isolation, singing, “Gonna take a couple shots and numb my feelings / ‘Stead of dealin’ with my problems, I’ll just stare at the ceiling.” Yet, as the song unfolds, it’s clear that she’s not looking for pity or rescue. “I don’t need permission to feel sad, and don’t need no witness to have my back,” she declares in the chorus, reframing loneliness as a choice rather than a burden.
During the holidays, when media portrays togetherness as the ultimate goal, “loner” feels like an anthem for the overlooked reality that not everyone has—or wants—a Hallmark ending. Many spend the season alone, by choice or circumstance, and Maggie’s lyrics speak to those who find comfort in quiet moments, free from expectations.
Revisiting “loner” this Throwback Thursday reminds us of the importance of embracing authenticity, especially during a time of year filled with performative joy. Maggie Lindemann’s raw honesty and haunting melodies offer a reminder that solitude can be just as meaningful as connection.
So this holiday season, if you find yourself in a dark room with only your thoughts for company, let “loner” be your soundtrack. Because, as Maggie reminds us, sometimes being alone isn’t lonely—it’s liberating. And maybe, just maybe, you like it that way.