Glass was born in 1988 in Toronto, Ontario. In 2002, at the age of 14, she adopted the name "Vicki Vale" and left home to live in a squat community. Here, she formed Fetus Fatale, an all-girl noise-punk band. It was after a performance in 2004 at Q-Bar when she was approached by Ethan Kath. Kath was impressed by the show, claiming at the time he thought he had found the "missing ingredient" to his music. Kath later gave Glass a CD with 60 instrumental tracks, for which she wrote vocals for 5. When they went to a recording studio to record those 5 songs, a microphone check was secretly recorded by the engineer, who later presented the band with a CD-R with 6 tracks. This 6th extra track went on to become Crystal Castles' first single, "Alice Practice"
Without Love
Alice Glass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And will I ever figure it out?
Sold myself to him
Be my own victim
And with this bondage
Tie myself down
How are you gonna lie about me now?
What's the strangest way you can't be found?
How are you gonna lie?
How are you gonna lie?
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Is it hidden beneath the surface?
Sew my lips 'til it won't come out
Sold myself further and tell it to you
Can I suffer? I won't make a sound
How are you gonna lie about me now?
I see you watching me from underground
What's the strangest way you can't be found?
How are you gonna lie?
How are you gonna lie?
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
I want a weak chance
I wanna be the one to
I want a weak chance
I'm not just body tissue
I wanna play pretend
I don't wanna see tomorrow
Tell me where to spit
Don't tell me what to swallow
How are you gonna lie about me now?
I see you watching me from underground
What's the strangest way you can't be found?
How are you gonna lie?
How are you gonna lie?
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Got to be without love
Alice Glass's song Without Love explores themes of self-worth, victimization, and bondage. The opening lines question the singer's worth, questioning whether she is worth anything or completely worthless. The following lines mention selling herself to someone, becoming her own victim, and tying herself down with bondage. The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling with feelings of low self-worth and may be engaging in activities that are harming her.
The next verse begins with a question about how the person lying about her will do so now, while she sees them watching her from underground. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels trapped, unable to escape the lies told about her. The chorus repeats the phrase "Got to be without love," suggesting that the singer may believe that love is something she must do without. The song's bridge features lines about wanting a weak chance, playing pretend, and not wanting to see tomorrow. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels powerless and is engaging in behaviors that may be harmful to her. Overall, the song explores themes of powerlessness, victimization, and the struggle to find self-worth.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I worth it or am I worthless?
I question my own value and wonder if I have any worth.
And will I ever figure it out?
I am uncertain if I will ever come to a conclusion about my worth.
Sold myself to him
I gave myself away to someone else.
Be my own victim
I blame myself for my own pain and suffering.
And with this bondage
I am restrained and controlled by someone or something.
Tie myself down
I willingly submit to the restraints of my situation or relationship.
How are you gonna lie about me now?
I am aware of others spreading lies about me and I question how they will continue to do so.
I see you watching me from underground
I am aware of someone secretly observing me and my actions.
What's the strangest way you can't be found?
I wonder how this person is able to remain hidden while still watching me.
Got to be without love
I must learn to live without the pain and hurt caused by love.
Is it hidden beneath the surface?
I question if my true feelings and emotions are hidden from others on the surface.
Sew my lips 'til it won't come out
I will not speak out or express my true thoughts and emotions to others.
Sold myself further and tell it to you
I have given away more of myself and my emotions to someone else.
Can I suffer? I won't make a sound
I am capable of enduring pain and hardship without making a noise or complaint.
I want a weak chance
I desire an opportunity that may not have a high chance of success.
I wanna be the one to
I want to be the one in control of my own life and decisions.
I'm not just body tissue
I am a human being with emotions and feelings, not just an object or physical body.
I wanna play pretend
I want to escape reality and pretend that everything is okay.
I don't wanna see tomorrow
I do not want to face the challenges of the future.
Tell me where to spit
I am willing to do whatever is necessary to express my anger and frustration.
Don't tell me what to swallow
I refuse to accept or believe something that goes against my own beliefs or morals.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Jupiter William Hoover-Keyes, Lars Stalfors, Margaret Osborn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind