Rotten Inside
Ear Shot Lyrics

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Once was a time
I'd give the world to you
But it was never enough
Swore by your hand
But you never told the truth
That's when I saw myself in you

I'm rotten inside

I'm weak and I'm frightened
Of the things that you might find
I'm rotten inside again
I'm weak and I'm frightened
Of the things that you might find

What could I do to make everything all right
Left me again
Like I always thought you'd do
That's when I saw myself in you

And though I try

I can't forget
The way you looked at me and said

Overall Meaning

"Get over it, don't be upset"
But something died inside that day

These lyrics describe a toxic relationship where the singer once gave everything to their partner, but it was never enough. The partner swore by their hand, but they were never truthful. The singer starts to see themselves in their partner as they realize they too are rotten inside, weak, and frightened of what their partner might find. They ask themselves what they could do to make everything all right, but their partner leaves them once again, just as they always knew they would. The singer can't forget the hurtful words spoken to them by their partner, causing something inside of them to die that day.

The lyrics paint a picture of a person who has been hurt and manipulated in a relationship, feeling hopeless and helpless. The repetition of "I'm rotten inside" emphasizes the internal struggle and self-loathing the singer is experiencing. The theme of seeing themselves in their partner suggests that the toxic behavior may have been learned or inherited, making the situation more complex and difficult to navigate.

Line by Line Meaning

Once was a time
There was a time in the past

I'd give the world to you
I was willing to do anything for you

But it was never enough
What I did for you was never sufficient

Swore by your hand
I made a promise by taking your hand

But you never told the truth
You did not speak the truth

That's when I saw myself in you
I realized that I possess some of your negative qualities

I'm rotten inside
I am corrupt internally

I'm weak and I'm frightened
I am vulnerable and scared

Of the things that you might find
Concerned with what you might discover about me

I'm rotten inside again
I have become corrupt again

What could I do to make everything all right
What actions should I take to make things right