I'm living a lie because I can't tell the truth.
There's a fire in the basement,
A fire on the roof.
I'm just sitting in my chair wearing a smile.
I'm going to vanish in the air after awhile.
Did did you get the news that I'm lost at sea
Hey, hey somebody's confused though it couldn't be me.
I wasn't near that place.
I don't know where it was.
She didn't see my face.
You know its true because
I know wise things.
I know about these things.
I know why it is caged,
So I don't know why I'm enraged.

I'm lying about my birth and I'm lying about my death.
For all I'm worth, I lie with every breath.
Lying homes are built on my crying habitations.
Here's the milk that I spilt,
My undying limitations
I know about these things, I know about these things
I know why it is caged,
So I don't know why I'm enraged.

Always the bride's maid, never the bride.
Look what my bride's made, out of my life.
Always the bride's maid, never the bride.
Look what your bride's made, you shook my life.
Always the bride's maid, never the bride.
Look what your bride's made, and you know, you shouldn't have lied.

Overall Meaning

The Violent Femmes' song "Living a Lie" is a commentary on the nature of lies and the shame that comes with living a false existence. The song begins with the confession that the singer is living a lie, indicating that they are not being truthful in some aspect of their life. The metaphors of fire in the basement and on the roof suggests that there are conflicts and pressures on all sides, making it difficult to maintain the deception. Despite this, the singer continues to sit smiling, outwardly pretending that everything is fine until they "vanish in the air after awhile."

The lyrics shift to an accusation that the singer is lost at sea, which they immediately deny. They claim that someone else is confused, but not them. It is unclear who they are lying to, or what they are even talking about. The repetition of the line "I know about these things" suggests that the singer is trying to convince others, and perhaps themselves, of their own expertise and knowledge. However, it is contrasted with their apparent lack of understanding about why they are enraged, implying that they are not as in control as they would like to be.

The song ends with a series of lines about being the bride's maid, never the bride, suggesting that the singer feels perpetual disappointment and rejection. They accuse someone, potentially a former lover, of having "shook [their] life" with their lies, but also acknowledge that they themselves have been lying all along. The underlying message is that it is impossible to be happy when living a dishonest life.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm living a lie because I can't tell the truth.
I am leading a dishonest life because I lack the courage to be truthful.

There's a fire in the basement, A fire on the roof.
I am in great jeopardy, facing danger from seemingly all angles.

I'm just sitting in my chair wearing a smile. I'm going to vanish in the air after awhile.
I am hiding my true emotions from all those around me, and will soon disappear mysteriously.

Did did you get the news that I'm lost at sea Hey, hey somebody's confused though it couldn't be me.
I am missing and feared dead, but someone else is confused about the situation, not me.

I wasn't near that place. I don't know where it was. She didn't see my face. You know its true because
I was not present where she claims I was, and she could not have identified me, this is the truth.

I know wise things. I know about these things. I know why it is caged, So I don't know why I'm enraged.
I have insight into deep knowledge and captivity, but I cannot explain why I feel so angry.

I'm lying about my birth and I'm lying about my death. For all I'm worth, I lie with every breath.
I am being dishonest about my very existence, and my lies are completely consuming me.

Lying homes are built on my crying habitations. Here's the milk that I spilt, My undying limitations
My habit of lying has created a foundation of tears, and I am full of regret and limitations.

I know about these things, I know about these things I know why it is caged, So I don't know why I'm enraged.
I have knowledge of captivity, but I am still unsure why I am so filled with fury.

Always the bride's maid, never the bride. Look what my bride's made, out of my life.
I am always a supporting character and never the lead, and my love interest has made a mess out of my life.

Always the bride's maid, never the bride. Look what your bride's made, you shook my life. Always the bride's maid, never the bride. Look what your bride's made, and you know, you shouldn't have lied.
You have caused chaos in my life and never let me be the main character, and the lies you told have only made things worse.