Lying
Ben Kessler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I write a lot about dreams but I never really have them
I write a lot about love but I never even had one
I write a lot about you but I barely even know you
It makes me feel better
Acting like you don't make me nervous
Buying you drinks like I can afford them
Saying I'm fine when I'm really hurting
Keeping things perfect on the surface
Oh I've been lying to myself
It's easier to love you
When I pretend to be someone else
And I'd be lying to myself
To say that I deserve you
When I know that I'm scared as hell
I talk a lot about Rome but I know we'll never get there
I talk a lot about the future but I'm barely standing right here
You try to make the moment last with your hand in my hair
I try to tell you how I feel but all I ever do is stare
Oh I've been lying to myself
It's easier to love you
When I pretend to be someone else
And I'd be lying to myself
To say that I deserve you
When I know that I'm scared as hell
I've been lying, lying, lying
I've been lying, lying, lying
I've been lying, lying, lying
I've been lying, lying, lying
Oh I've been lying to myself
It's easier to love you
When I pretend to be someone else
And I'd be lying to myself
To say that I deserve you
When I know that I'm scared as hell
Would you love me any less
If I told you the truth instead
Would you love me any less
The lyrics of Ben Kessler's song "Lying" depict a narrative of a person who feels insecure and unsure of themself while pretending to be someone they're not in order to impress someone they admire. The first verse sets the tone for the song, where the person admits to never having experienced love or achieving dreams, despite writing about them. The second verse then provides an image of someone trying to keep things perfect while pretending to be fine even though they're hurting inside.
The chorus repeats "I've been lying to myself" and how it's easier to love someone by pretending to be someone else. It also highlights the singer's fear and uncertainty, showing how they don't believe they deserve the person they're admiring. Lastly, the lyrics question whether the person they're admiring would still love them if they told the truth about who they were.
Overall, the song underscores how societal pressure can lead people to conform and pretend to be someone they're not in order to impress others. It captures an emotional battle of self-acceptance and fear of rejection, prompting the listener to reflect on their own experiences with self-doubt and insecurities.
Line by Line Meaning
I write a lot about stars never take the time to look at them
I write about things I don't experience because it's easier than living in reality
I write a lot about dreams but I never really have them
I talk about my aspirations without taking any action towards them
I write a lot about love but I never even had one
I fantasize about love even though I have never experienced it myself
I write a lot about you but I barely even know you
I am infatuated with the idea of you, but I don't actually know you as a person
It makes me feel better
My behavior is a coping mechanism that helps me feel better temporarily
Acting like you don't make me nervous
I pretend to be confident around you even though I am anxious and insecure
Buying you drinks like I can afford them
I try to impress you by spending money I don't really have
Saying I'm fine when I'm really hurting
I hide my true emotions and pretend to be okay even when I am struggling
Keeping things perfect on the surface
I maintain an appearance of perfection, even though everything is falling apart underneath
Oh I've been lying to myself
I am aware that my behavior is deceptive and self-destructive
It's easier to love you
My idealized version of you is easier to love than the reality of you
When I pretend to be someone else
I put on a façade to make it seem like I am someone I am not
And I'd be lying to myself
I would continue to deceive myself if I believed I deserved your love
To say that I deserve you
I don't think I am worthy of your love because of my insecurities and inadequacies
When I know that I'm scared as hell
I am afraid of being vulnerable and rejected, and that drives my deceptive behavior
I talk a lot about Rome but I know we'll never get there
I make unrealistic plans and goals without any intention of following through
I talk a lot about the future but I'm barely standing right here
I distract myself with future plans because I am unhappy with my present reality
You try to make the moment last with your hand in my hair
You try to connect with me emotionally and physically, but I struggle to be present in the moment
I try to tell you how I feel but all I ever do is stare
I struggle to communicate my emotions effectively, and instead, shut down and avoid vulnerability
Would you love me any less
I fear being rejected or abandoned if I reveal my true self
If I told you the truth instead
If I was honest about my insecurities and fears instead of pretending to be someone I am not
Contributed by Ian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.