editors of "billboard" also had a discussion about "never really over". eric frankenberg said that it "calls back to perry's "teenage dream"-era hits in sound, but is more 'the one that got away' than 'california gurls' in aesthetic and lyrical content." gab ginsberg saw "definite "prism" vibes" in the track and felt it had "a nice chill factor from 'wide awake'". jason lipshutz said, "the mix of the driving electro-pop and contemplative tone resembles 'part of me' most closely". as to the motivation of the song, eric frankenberg considered the song to be one about "being haunted by memories of an ex-lover".